As we say Adiós to 2023 and Bienvenido to 2024 and with a new year may come new plans! If you're considering selling your home, one of the decisions you need to make is if it would be better to put your property on the market right away or wait until Spring...
Yes, traditionally buying, selling and moving home is quieter over the winter compared to the spring and summer, however, selling your home during the colder months can be beneficial and we can confidently say the property market right now is still relatively busy!
Marketing your home over the winter period has a couple of great advantages:
- You’ll attract serious buyers!
It’s true that you will probably get fewer viewings, BUT the buyers who make the effort to view your home during the colder weather will generally be buyers who are committed to finding a new home and therefore more likely to put an offer in if they like it. - There is less competition!
If other sellers remove their homes from the market over the winter then there are fewer homes to compete with. This means you should get proportionately a higher number of buyers viewing your home and with fewer properties to choose from, they should be quicker to make an offer if they really like your home.
Another good reason to launch or keep your home on the market during the winter is that people are staying inside and out of the cold, or shielding from covid or just good old-fashioned winter hibernating, meaning they have a lot more time to browse properties for sale in Spain, giving your home a higher chance of being seen and your estate agent will be available to answer any questions and arrange a viewing if possible.
Here are our 5 top tips on how to show your home at its cosiest, at its best and secure a sale this winter.
Embrace the season
Prepare your home for viewings by creating a cosy atmosphere that reflects the season, work with the colder weather and be aware of shorter daylight hours.
It’s easy and inexpensive to transform the look of a room by changing a few cushions and adding some blankets that are a darker, warmer winter colour, use heavier and thicker fabrics to really accentuate the indulgence of the season.
Create a warming focal point for a coffee table or in the kitchen by having storm lanterns with pillar candles inside which cast a lovely soothing light.
Some gentle winter scents are also very welcoming, for example, cinnamon, orange, spiced vanilla and pumpkin create a light seasonal vibe and can help the buyer imagine cosy nights in front of the fire.
Plants such as Poinsettias (Flor de Pascua - Christmas flower), Boston ferns and peace lilies are easy to look after and will add some life to your home. Orchids are also low-maintenance but look beautiful and provide long-lasting flowers and inspire a reminder that spring is just around the corner.
Christmas!! Do you usually go all out for Christmas? Can you still decorate your home for Christmas? Of course you can! However, try to not make them dominate the whole house, making it feel small with lots of ornaments taking up space. Festive décor is cheery and tasteful decorations can really brighten your home.
Make sure your photos are taken before any Christmas decorations go up or if it’s after Christmas, make sure they are put away ready for the photographer!
Let the light in
With the shortest days of the year and more clouds in the sky, we need to maximise the amount of sunlight coming into the property, to stop it from feeling dark and dull on viewing days. Pull back the curtains, open the blinds and make sure there are no large objects on the window sills blocking any light from coming in.
What lighting do you have in your home? It’s a good idea to make sure your bulbs have a fairly high wattage to brighten your home. Lamps are brilliant at creating a glow that is warm and welcoming.
Winter gardens
In Spain, outside living is very important, make sure your garden still looks welcoming in the colder months, sweep paths and perhaps add a few solar-powered fairy lights or spotlights to add a little charm.
Another thing to consider in Spain is that the grass is much greener and the views are more lustful in the cooler months, meaning it can be a huge benefit to have your photos taken now.
Potential buyers need to see how life in the heat of the summer might look, so if you have a swimming pool, make sure to keep on top of its maintenance. A pool that is slightly turning green or looking a little cloudy can really put buyers off as it makes it look like it will be difficult to look after. Keep your pool clean and clear to add the wow factor - even in winter!
Winter days in Spain are a lot longer than in the UK and other countries closer to the North Pole, for example on the shortest day of the year, sunrise in the UK and Spain are more or less the same, roughly 8.30am, but the sun sets in the UK just before 4pm but in Spain the sun doesn’t set until after 6pm!
Little and often
Winter weather provides some wind and rain so you may have to keep on top of keeping your windows clean, for example, a little more regularly. After it’s rained, which doesn't happen very often, quickly pop out with a squidgy and a cloth to wipe away any drops, this is much quicker and easier than having to clean water marks off after they have dried, therefore you don’t need to worry about it if a viewing is booked in at the last minute.
Deciduous trees and plants are not very common in Spain, but you do get the odd leaves blowing around so make sure to sweep them up before a viewing. (Unlike my garden in the UK that had wonderful large trees which I loved but it was a nightmare in the autumn and winter to keep on top of the tonne of leaves constantly falling).
We then combine our descriptions with the best photos that have been carefully edited, virtual tours and floor plans to provide a complete showcase of your home.
Keep in touch
Find out when your estate agents are working over Christmas and New Year. Likewise, let them know if you are going away or hosting family and friends and won’t be able to do viewings. Like any good relationship, communication is key!
If you want to sell your home and are keen to get the ball rolling this winter, get in touch for a free valuation and we can discuss the best strategy to find you a buyer as soon as possible. If your home is already on the market but you haven’t yet had any offers, we may be able to help.
We cover Alhaurin El Grande, Alozaina, Coín, Guaro, Mijas, Monda and Tolox and anywhere else in and around the Guadalhorce Valley. Simply fill in our contact form or call us on (+34) 951 242 157 and we will be happy to help.
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