Not to brag, but Ottawa winters are truly something special. Unlike some of our sister cities in the GTA, our streets are generally filled with the scenic, pristine sight of freshly fallen snow rather than slushy, wet muck. And the air resounds with children laughing as they enjoy outdoor activities rather than angry horns honking.

Okay, maybe we’re exaggerating a bit! As long-time Ottawa residents, we’ve learned to appreciate our true Canadian winters and all the beauty that goes along with them. As real estate agents, we understand that this season can also be challenging for anyone who decides to sell a home.

That’s not to say you still can’t make the most of your transactions as the cold weather hits. You’ll just need to be especially strategic about your preparations and execution. In this post, we’ll highlight a few tips to maximize your home sale this winter and highlight why selling in the winter might just offer you some great advantages.

Selling your Ottawa home always begins with an accurate assessment of its worth in the current market. You can book a complimentary evaluation with our team right here.

Understanding the Seasons of Real Estate

Does it even make sense to list your home in the winter when spring is so widely regarded as the “best” time to sell? For a long time, pent-up demand after a slow winter meant spring was when all the buyers came out, so naturally, that’s also when all the “For Sale” signs went up too. The next best season to list your home was widely believed to be the fall; summer was a time to avoid due to vacation schedules and winter was simply defined as a slow period. These seasons were once so predictable for real estate that you could almost set your “calendar” by them!

Then the pandemic came along and changed all of that. For a couple of years, up was down, and winter became the busiest season of all. Things have since settled down a little, but seasonality is not what it used to be. In today’s market, a winning listing strategy and being prepared, matter far more than the date on the calendar. When it comes to selling your home in Ottawa, here’s why listing your home in winter just might be a competitive advantage.

Your first step is to connect with a local real estate agent who has a keen insight as to what buyers are looking for in your neighbourhood. Once you have an expert to guide you, all of the other pieces of the puzzle will fall into place, and selling your home and getting optimal results becomes much more straightforward.

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Looking for your next Ottawa neighbourhood after your house sells? You can’t go wrong with any of the fantastic options below:

• Ottawa’s Civic Hospital Neighbourhood; Make it Your Home Too!
• Is Barrhaven a Good Place to Live?
• Neighbourhood Spotlight: Little Italy

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The Challenges of Selling in the Snow

Understandably, selling Ottawa real estate can be trickier during the colder seasons. It gets dark earlier, the temperatures are plunging, and many people would rather hibernate until the snow starts to melt. As a result, there tends to be fewer potential buyers out looking for a new home.

On a positive note, those who are in the market also tend to be very serious about their search. They want or need to move and are ready to make an offer once they’ve found the right match. A good local real estate agent will formulate a marketing plan to reach these buyers and will recommend you get the “jump” on other sellers who may be waiting for the busy spring market.

The other primary challenge of selling during the winter is practical. How do you keep your house in pristine condition with so many people tracking snow in and out? If you want to get the best possible results from your sale, you need a plan.

Potential buyers can’t track dirt and snow through your home if there is no snow on their shoes to begin with! This is the case, when you are diligent about keeping your driveway, walkways, and front steps clear of snow. Once they step inside, signage can ask prospective buyers to kindly remove their footwear – just be sure to have a large, waterproof boot tray at the main door. Keeping the front entrance clear of snow and mud is half the battle for generating a welcoming and safe entrance to your home.

Go the Extra Mile When Presenting Your Home

It can be tricky to get – and keep – your home meticulous and show-worthy during a harsh Ottawa winter. Nevertheless, the results will be well worth your time. Start by cleaning and decluttering thoroughly even before your listing goes on the market.

A few minor repairs and updates, like a fresh coat of paint, will also help to elevate your presentation. Once buyers start coming through, a daily routine can keep your house impeccable with minimal effort. Here are a few habits worth getting into.

Put everything away as soon as you’re finished with it. Avoid the temptation to leave opened mail, flyers, or other items lying around.

• Clear and wipe down all countertops, dressers, and tables on a daily basis.
• Keep a mop handy by the front door for last-minute cleanups.
• Have a designated closet or coat rack for jackets, hats, and scarves.
• Give the bathrooms a quick wipe-down daily.
• Get the whole family involved in keeping the house tidy. Everyone having one or two tasks takes the weight off of one person.

Setting aside a few minutes each day to maintain your home will help to create a positive first impression on everyone who walks in the door. It also eliminates the stress of scrambling to clean the whole house when there’s an unexpected showing.

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Do you want more ideas to make your house appealing to potential buyers? You’ll find plenty of inspiration in the related reading below:

• You Only Have One Chance to Make a First Impression
• How to Sell Your Ottawa Home When You Have Kids or Pets
• Why Are Family Homes in Ottawa in High Demand?

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Make Your Home Feel Cozy and Inviting

The temperatures may be freezing outside so making your home feel warm and welcoming will increase its appeal to potential buyers. This effect can be both physical and visual impact. A few cozy pillows and throw blankets create a soothing, calming atmosphere. In addition, you can offset the early nights by making use of solar lights outside and strategically placed lamps inside. We can’t say enough about the value of good lighting.

Finally, we recommend turning the heat up one degree to help buyers feel comfortable. This encourages them to stay longer to ask questions and admire all of the attributes your home has to offer. The longer they linger, the more likely they will imagine themselves living there, and the more likely they are to put in an offer.

For personalized guidance to sell your home successfully in winter, contact our knowledgeable Ottawa real estate agents to help you maximize your sale during any season or market. Connect with us at mail@chellteam.com or call 613.829.7484 to learn more.