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Posted over 7 years ago

5 seasonal considerations when investing in home real estate

Real estate is a difficult trade to succeed in: home improvements are costly, buying homes is even more costly, selling homes requires patience, and the list goes on. It seems logical that preparing a house for sale through home improvements, boosting curb appeal, and properly advertising it are the necessary steps for selling homes quickly. However, these are not the only factors involved in real estate success. What more can there be?

Seasonality is a highly important factor in real estate success. Decorating homes for particular seasons is crucial in appealing to potential buyers. Adding various home improvements also matters. For example, adding heated floors or decorating with a 9ft Christmas tree in wintertime may increase the odds of selling a home. Likewise, installing new wall air conditioners in addition to a new HVAC unit may increase summertime success.

Decorating for winter

Selling homes in winter is difficult, as fewer homes are sold in winter than any other season. Crafting cozy, roomy feels in your real estate will increase odds of selling homes.

Decorate your homes with winter-themed scented candles, dark paint on walls, tall Christmas tree with ample decorations, and other decorations associated with winter. Green, white, and silver colors can take your interior farther than the traditional green and red associated with holiday seasons.

If your homes have fireplaces, fire them up a few hours before potential buyers come by. Make sure to have decorations, candles, and any other appealing items set up well before clients come by. You are less likely to sell a home if you have to decorate or perform other aesthetic-related tasks while clients are in the home. Remember, you have far more time without clients in homes than with clients in homes.

Adding improvements directly before seasons

New home improvements appeal highly to potential home buyers. If any deficiencies exist in your homes, consider fixing them directly before relevant seasons. If your homes have old air conditioning units -- or even few-year old units -- replace them with brand new ones. The cost of investing in new home improvements, even if your homes don't actually need them, is well worth the price if you end up selling them.

Having new home improvements is equal to that "new car smell": everybody loves it, and it will pay off for you in the long run.

Provide small gifts for clients

Don't be overbearing in offering food, presents, or gifts to potential buyers, but make sure to have finger foods or other snacks around. Making clients learn that you are a giving person, which can be achieved by simply leaving a tray of fresh cookies out, will make them feel better about buying homes from you.

In winter, leave gingerbread cookies or freshly carved turkey. In warmer months, leave punch or hamburgers out. Be mindful of what season it is: don't leave out ice cream for clients in December.

Avoid complete silence

Nothing is more awkward when showing a home than complete silence, not knowing what to say or when to say it. Playing easy listening music that is in tune with the season.

Play holiday-themed music during winter months; likewise, put on upbeat, summer tunes such as The Beach Boys or surfer-themed music.

Bowls of fruit always work well

Bowls of fruit are great for warmer months, such as apples, bananas, and strawberries. Don't skimp and purchase fake, plastic, mock fruit: buy the real thing! Make sure to change out fruit bowls after showings -- imagine having a bowl of rotten fruit when showing a home to a client. If fresh fruit isn't around during winter, pinecone or fir tree bowls work well for winter months.



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