Make your property hot this winter

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Spring is often heralded as the best time of year to sell your property – the birds are chirping, the air is warm, the flowers are out – and hopefully the buyers are, too.

But what about taking your property to market in winter? 

"Properties that can be attractive in winter are those that remain bright inside despite the drab weather – usually because they have got plenty of north-facing windows – or are presented as warm and cosy"

"A lot of old houses, if they are Victorian, they have got fireplaces and old formal rooms," says Clarke. "They present probably a lot better in winter than they do in summer."

If you are selling during the cooler months, here's 3 things to consider:

1. Present the property as warm and atmospheric, or if you're lucky enough to be to, as a light, bright escape from the weather.
 
- Photograph differently - do a lot more dusk shoots
- Advertise the property to make it look a little bit warmer (give it that glow to the pictures)
- Buyers' feelings will depend in a large part on the furnishings (eg: If the property is being styled, Alex Schiavo says his agency will often request furniture with thicker fabrics and warmer hues in winter)

2. Hold opens at the best time of day for the home

  














- It's important to show the home off at its best in winter when there's the best amount of light coming through- Some homes are morning homes and some are afternoon 






3. Keep things warm and toasty - sell the LIFESTYLE of the property

- Take a buyer to a cold house in winter and it usually doesn't take long for them to leave
- In summer we ask the clients to turn the air-conditioner on an hour before we get there to cool the house
- In winter, we definitely advise the clients to heat all the rooms. And to make the house inviting – put some nice music on and all that type of thing to get the house ready for opening
- Lighting all working wood or gas fireplaces if you have one. create that "who needs a holiday home when i live in one just perfectly" kind of feel
- check out Nigella Lawson's home backgrounds in her shows. It's always got that warm, homey, christmasy, happy feel to it.
- baking some cookies or brewing some coffee just to fill the air with things that will trigger one's mind to relate them to happy positive moments. I know I would be something that would make me so comfortable in a property and wanting to call it home.