Real Estate Talk:
Staging to sell in winter

Preparing property for the October to December and February to April markets

By Joseph Marovitch

The winter market between October to December and February to March can be a tough sell. A home’s exterior can look cold and dreary. That is why you want the exterior and interior to appear as cosy, warm and inviting as possible.

In winter a home must be a refuge from harsh elements and a hard week of work. As always, in the process of selling a home, the house must be kept clean and tidy, which is difficult enough to maintain until the property is sold, especially if there are children and pets in the house. After all, a house is for the living, it is not a museum.

Any house will sell if priced properly for its condition and the market, however little nuances can either make or break the deal. The smell of wood burning in the fireplace is a huge plus if you live in an area where fireplaces can still be used. Fireplace fragrance is universal for the most part – everyone likes it.

Any house will sell if priced properly for its condition and the market, however little nuances can either make or break the deal.

The smell of food being prepared is not universally appreciated. Different cultures enjoy different smells. Baked items like cookies, cake and croissants are usually okay and appreciated. Pungent smells like garlic, curry and ginger can cause a prospective buyer to turn and run. Roasting meat is also risky in today’s environment. I do not advise using incense as it usually gives the impression you are hiding the smell of last night’s fish. Keep smells neutral and to a minimum. Clean and fresh is always best. Fresh sheets, clean towels, disinfected sinks and toilets will impress.

Then there is light. In winter, a house requires as much light as possible so open the blinds and let the sunshine in, or any daylight. If you are showing at night, turn on all the lights and always put the toilet seats down for showings and in photographs. Convey warmth with big cosy couches. If your living room is not warm enough, place warm blankets on the corner of the couches. Teddy bears are always good on the living room chairs. Flowers on the coffee table are good touches. Carpets are nice, hard wood floors are beautiful but offer visitors comfy slippers to wear as they peruse the house.

If the first experience a person has upon entering a property for sale is a happy warm feeling, chances are they will purchase the property.

If a home appears safe and warm and a place to rest in comfort, people want to be in it. If it is cold, messy, disorganized and full of negative feelings, it is a place you want to escape from. If the first experience a person has upon entering a property for sale is a happy warm feeling, chances are they will purchase the property.

Of course, the price must reflect the condition of the house and the current market. It does not matter how wonderful the place appears if it requires much work at a price that does not take condition and market into consideration. There will always be another property at the right price to compare with.

Should you have questions or comments, please refer to the comments section at the bottom of the page. As well, to view past articles, go to the search link and type in Joseph Marovitch.

Have a great week!

Next article: Deadlines in a promise to purchase! How important are they?

State of the market

In a recent Gazette article, there is the heading Home prices climb in Montreal, with no end in sight. Sometimes, I think someone is reading my column. The article states that those who were considering buying a home last year but did not, will pay significantly more this year. The article discusses economic fundamentals such as lower unemployment, decreased debt and more disposable income being the cause of rising prices.

However, I predicate that the reason prices are rising and will continue to rise is due to space. The island of Montreal is running out of space. New construction will decrease until there is none. Demand for property on the island will grow while supply decreases and then what is left will be an extremely valuable commodity in Montreal, like diamonds. Buyers can look to the suburbs where prices will also rise, and they will find opportunity for the foreseeable future.

Image: Pixabay

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