The Cascade Team Blog

WINTER HOME SELLING TIPS

 Winter presents a unique set of opportunities for those looking to sell their homes.  But, by using the right strategies, your home can stand out and attract serious buyers.

Here are some home selling tips that are likely to bring you success:

1.     Price Your Home Correctly

Work closely with your real estate agent to determine an attractive, yet competitive price for your property.  A well-priced home can generate more interest and potentially lead to offers more quickly.

A Comparative Market Analysis for the 4^th quarter for The Edens and Brookshire is attached.  This should give you an idea of what your home might be worth.

2.     Maximize Your Curb Appeal

Winter landscapes can be beautiful, even if branches are bare and skies are gloomy. Make sure your property is well-maintained:

•       Keep walkways, driveways, and sidewalks clear – this also eliminates potential safety hazards.
•       Keep up your yard, fences, and any other outdoor structures.
•       Plant some hardy plants like evergreens or add colorful seasonal decorations.

3.     Highlight Winter Benefits of Your Home

Position your home as a comfortable and efficient winter retreat.  Emphasize these amenities if your home has:

•       Insulated windows or a high-efficiency heating system.
•       Fireplaces, hot tub, sauna, heated garage, or heated floors.

4.    Stage Your Home to Create a Warm and Cozy Ambience Indoors

When potential buyers enter your home, you want them to feel comfortable and welcomed instantly. Consider staging your home to help buyers better visualize living there and thereby increasing interest and your selling price.  

4.    Stage Your Home (cont.)

Some relatively easy things to do are:

•       Painting interiors a soft, neutral color.
•       Decluttering and incorporating a few decorative accessories.
•       Lighting a fire, using soft and warm lighting in each room.
•       Add plush throws or blankets to sofas and beds, and play pleasant music throughout the house.

Professional stagers can be hired to do this work – Nancy Welts Schulte of the Cascade Team Indiana is a licensed stager and performs this work at no charge

for Schulte Realty Group clients.

5.     Work with an Experienced Real Estate Agent

Partner with an experienced real estate agent who understands what is needed to sell a home successfully in the winter months.  Choose an agent with a proven track record of success in your local market.

Paul and Nancy Schulte of The Schulte Realty Group has lived on East Carmel Drive for 12 years. Not only do they understand this market, they have an unbeatable listing rate of just 1.5% or $5,000 (whatever is greater).  This can cut your listing costs by 50%, and because we are a full-service brokerage, you give up ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in terms of service.

6.    Other Suggestions

•       Be sure your realtor hires a professional photographer. Almost all buyers begin their search online, and your home needs to look great!
•       Be flexible with showings. Be prepared to approve last-minute showing requests.

So…embrace the winter season, showcase your home in the best possible light, and trust your real estate agent to guide you every step of the way.

Real Estate 101 -- Appraised Value Vs. Market Value

Appraised value is assigned to a property by a professional real estate appraiser at a specific point in time. 

Market value is a variable that’s determined by larger market forces and economic conditions. Ultimately, the market value of a property is decided by buyers, who value real estate holdings based on what they think the price of a property should be and what they are willing (or can get approved) to pay for it.

Thanks to The Cascade Team , Rocket Mortgage, and Trueblood Real Estate for inspiration