Detroit Real Estate

25 Winter home selling tips to get your Metro Detroit home sold for more money and quicker!

1) Clear your walkways. 

*             Always have your walks and driveway shoveled for buyers.  Footprints on freshly fallen snow will turn to ice if the temperature is low enough.  Sprinkle a layer of salt over the sidewalk and steps to ensure stable footing.

*             If it's raining or there is snow, put a door mat by the front door for buyers to wipe their feet.

2) Lights

*             Pull up the blinds, push back the drapes.  Let as much natural light in as possible.   A dark house is much harder to sell.  Let the buyers see the yard and the winter scape.

*             Turn every light on throughout the house, including under the counter lights and closet lights.

3) Sound/Distractions

*             Turn off all TVs and loud music.  Some low volume easy listening background music is ok.

*             If you use an answering machine, turn it off or mute messages.

 3) Temperature

*             Don't keep the thermostat below 69 degrees. Up to 72 degrees is fine, too hot is bad too.  Sometimes if the house is cold people will rush through the home.  You want the temperature inside to be comfortable and to give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on a cold day.

*             If you have a gas fireplace, light the fireplace.  Make sure a grate is in front of it and don't leave it unattended for very long. You don't want your house to catch fire!  A fire going on a cold day gives the buyer a cozy feeling. 

4) Staging

*             Have a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter. 

*             Make your living room or bedroom appear romantic by placing a couple of champagne glasses near a champagne bucket on the coffee table or end table.

*             Leave fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen for the buyers

*             Turn your bathroom into luxury bathroom - Hang clean, white, plush robes.  Roll up wash cloths, tie with a ribbon and place in a basket on the counter.  Place three candles by the bathtub.  Set up a grouping of soaps, lotions and shampoo. 

*             Place vases filled with beautiful fresh flowers in certain spots around the house.  The kitchen table is a great spot. 

*             Leave pictures out in a noticeable place of what the outside of the house looks like in the summer.

*             Of course de-clutter.

*             Take down personal pictures of the family, remove excess furniture, and box up any collections 

5) Home clean Home - a clean organized home will always sell better than a disorganized or dirty home.

*             Put away dirty clothes and dishes

*             Wash Mirrors and windows

*             Clean, and dust.  Get rid of the cobwebs. Be sure to get ceiling fan blades and light fixtures

*            Clean the grime off showers.  Get a new shower curtain.  If necessary, re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.

*            Polish chrome faucets, and sinks..

*            Vacuum daily. If your carpeting is plush, vacuum in one direction.

*            Empty trash and recycling bins.

6) Information

*             If you want to point out a special feature or something that is going with the house make sure to attach printed cards to items and in rooms that provide further information the buyer might miss or might not know. NEVER POINT OUT A NEGATIVE.

I hope you do put to use these 25 Winter home selling tips because they will help sell your Metro Detroit home!