There’s a good reason why property listings drop off in the middle of winter; absolutely nobody wants to be out in weather like this!  Muddy boots trampling over freshly steam-cleaned carpets, umbrellas dripping, and a lot less foot traffic means that most vendors will hold off until the spring rush before opening their homes.

But as an agent, there are a few things you can do to get your vendor’s homes on display in these colder months and ease the lean times between commissions.

Talk up the lack of competition

There will always be people who are looking to buy and who can’t, or don’t want to, wait until spring.  Those people are going to see only a few homes in winter, which means that your property will stand out.  If your vendor waits until spring to list, they’ll be competing with all the other vendors of similar properties, whereas winter gives them a bigger stage with fewer players on it.  And those buyers who do slog through the sleet to find their perfect house are likely to be genuine, motivated purchasers, not nosy neighbours, which is another win for your clients.

Emphasis light and bright

In the heat of summer, you might not want to emphasise those huge windows that turn the bedrooms into saunas, but winter is the opposite.  Banish winter gloom by making sure all the blinds are pulled up, curtains are tied back, and the interior lights are on.  Mirrors and other reflective surfaces are another great way to open out the home and make use of the daylight.

Turn up the heat

A flickering wood fire or cosy gas heating adds charm and ambience to a property.  Maybe your listing has luxury underfloor heating, or an outdoor area with braziers.  Whatever the heat source, your viewers will be grateful to feel the warmth, and that will translate into warm feelings towards the property.

Roll out the welcome mat

Winter rains mean muddy paths, so invest in a good welcome mat at the entrance to the home you’re showing.  It adds to the street appeal and gives viewers the chance to scrape the mud from their boots before tramping all over those beautiful clean floors.  A large pot or rack to collect dripping umbrellas is also a great idea.

Don’t compete with the football

Given the choice between watching the AFL semi final and looking at houses, a lot of potential buyers will choose the former.  Check the schedule here and make sure your open houses don’t clash.

And there you have it.  A few touches to stage your winter opens and your properties are sure to stand out from the crowd.