December, January, and February are said to be the least active months for real estate. This means that these winter months may actually be the prime time to list your home! Less inventory means less competition, making your home more likely to catch a buyer’s eye. Winter can also be a strategic time to list your property because the buyers tend to be more serious. If a potential home buyer is perusing the market during these winter months, they are most likely serious and ready to sign a contract.
Today, I want to share with you my three top tips for selling your home in central Illinois in the winter!
- Focus on your online listing. Although browsing online listings is always a convenient way to house hunt, it is even more popular during these cold winter months in central Illinois. For this reason, you will want to make sure your online listing is accurate, but also eye-catching and attractive, encouraging potential buyers to come see it in person. Make sure to have high-quality, clear pictures that accurately depict your home. One study shows that 80% of buyers consider online listings as very useful in their house hunting journey, which means it is very much worth your time and energy.
- Keep it cozy and simple. Especially during these winter months, a huge element of your home appeal is the “cozy factor.” Before any showings, make sure that you have your fireplace burning, and maybe a fresh batch of sugar cookies cooling on the counter to offer your prospective buyers. Soft music in the background can also help to create an atmosphere of calm and cozy. However, one thing to be mindful of is seasonal decorations. A few small touches here and there can be tasteful and fun, but be careful not to go overboard, as that can easily create a cluttered and distracting look. Decorations can also make it more challenging for the buyer to picture what the space would look like throughout the rest of the year, and thus more difficult for them to visualize their life there.
- Exterior visibility. As these winter days are shorter and often darker, it may be helpful to turn on outdoor lights (or even install some new lights) to help potential buyers get a feel for the exterior of your home. Once again, some level of seasonal décor can help with curb appeal but keep it to a minimum so as not to distract from the home itself. Keep sidewalks cleared of snow for safe accessibility and a sense of welcome. House hunters want to see the home in its true colors, so keep things as clean and simple as possible.
The housing market will begin to pick up as more and more sellers list their homes, so I would encourage you to beat the rush and list your home this winter for optimum visibility. As always, I would love to answer any questions you may have about “unlocking new doors”, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

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