Boost your chances of a winter property sale

Boost your chances of a winter property sale

The cold winds are blowing, and frost is on the ground. The dark nights are upon us, the heating is on, and woolly hats are at the ready. Those autumn leaves are just about still falling, creating a carpet of gold and brown on the footpaths across Chobham, Fleet, Camberley and Yateley.

It’s late autumn, which will of course lead into winter very soon, next week in fact! It’s a great time of the year to spruce up your home ready for the colder months ahead, creating a cosy home that you just want to spend time in and enjoy.

It’s fair to say that we absolutely love autumn and winter here at Waterfords. We are so lucky to live in an area with access to many countryside walks and beautiful nature reserves. We thought we would take a look at some seasonal trends to help you make your home nice and cosy – and of course look great for viewings if you are selling your property.

Some people will take the opportunity of the dark evenings indoors to look around online at what’s for sale, and even drive around to look at the Christmas lights! Whether you are thinking of selling or just want to create a beautiful space for your Christmas ‘bubble’, make sure your home is looking it’s best with our top tips…
 

Prepare for the Footprints

First things first, you need to create a space where you, the kids, and the dog can come in out of the cold and mud, and not ruin your flooring or make a big mess! Whether it’s at the back door, or by the front door, this space will help you keep things clean.

It might be that you lay down a larger-than-normal doormat, or use a special covering to protect the carpet. You also may want to install hooks to hang your coats up straight away.

Put your summer shoes away in a wardrobe and keep your winter footwear out. That way, you can minimise the clutter.
 

Winter Candles and Cones

Tell us, who doesn’t just love winter smells in the home? Candles are a low-cost way of creating a beautiful winter aroma in your house. Pop one in your hallway, or on a mantlepiece and you have something nice to look at and something delicious to smell too.

And don’t forget, if you have more than one candle, you won’t need to have all the lights on to create an ambience, saving electricity. Bonus!

Always make sure you blow your candles out before retiring for the night and be sure that they are placed away from furnishings and fabrics and out of the reach of children and pets.

It’s the festive season, and that makes it a great time to get your house looking wonderfully bright and loved. You want people to imagine themselves living in your home, picturing themselves with the Christmas tree up, the dining table set and decorations twinkling.

Don’t go overboard, dial it down a touch. People might like what you’ve done, but they want to be able to see the house beyond your glitzy decorations, so keep it classy!
 

Outside in, Naturally

When winter comes, leaves are on the ground, twigs are fallen, cones are lying on the path. Gather some up, after checking that you’re not breaking any rules in your local area, and check there are no creepy crawlies hidden away!

The things you collect will make a beautiful natural display inside your home. When the cold weather kicks in, you’ll have some of the outside, indoors.

Don’t go overboard, as too much will look messy. The key is to create something simple and effective, giving a hint of the season. If you have an open fire or log burning stove, light it and turn side lamps on for even more atmosphere.

Dine-in, in Style

Chances are, this year you’ll be spending more time at home. So, why not make your rooms a little bit more special. In the dining room, where you may typically just have a few mats on the table, create a cosy atmosphere by choosing a patterned tablecloth that has hints of autumnal and festive colours. Napkins, again colourful, could be placed on the table, bringing style to the dining room.

There is an abundance of winter room settings in magazines and on the internet. Have a look and find something to your taste. With a bit of creativity, you can turn your house into a cosy winter home.
 

Lighten up, warm up

One thing people seem to do during winter is to switch all the lights on full beam! It really does not create a cosy living space. Yes, dark evenings mean light is needed earlier and earlier, but you don’t need it to be bright.

A standard lamp in a corner could provide the main light, with smaller lamps placed on tables in the living room. You should think about cosiness – softer lighting, rugs on the floor, maybe a throw or two on the sofa.

Warming up a sale can be as simple as making your home feel cosy and inviting. As winter kicks in, make sure your home is heated to a comfortable temperature. There’s nothing more off-putting than stepping out of the cold and straight into an icy house, shivering as you view.
 

Clean your Windows

Wash your windows, inside and out. Windows take a beating and quickly become dirty during bad weather. Don’t forget to give your windowsills and doorsteps a good clean too, inside and out! It’s amazing the difference cleaning your windows can make to the feel of your home.
 

Keep on Top of Maintenance

You never know when a viewing may take place, so it’s to your advantage to be prepared to accept viewings with little notice and catch those motivated buyers over the festive period. Make sure you complete all those fiddly maintenance jobs you’ve been putting off so that your home is in tip-top condition and ready to be presented at a moments notice.

It will also make you feel more at home to know that all those small tasks are taken care of, leaving you sit back and watch a Christmas movie or two!
 

Home sweet home

The atmosphere you create at home can help you through the long winter months ahead. This is especially important after a challenging 2020 and with it looking likely we will be spending more time in our homes over the coming months too. Take time to make it right for you and your loved ones to enjoy even if you aren’t currently selling your home.

As your trusted local estate agent in Camberley, Chobham, Fleet and Yateley for over 25 years, we have experience in helping home movers create the perfect setting when selling their property. If we can help you, then please call on 01252 235348 or email contact.centre@waterfords.co.uk

Are you wondering how much your home is worth in Camberley, Chobham, Fleet or Yateley? Try our instant online property valuation tool!