Selling a house is not an easy task. The freezing temps, snow, and the fact that everybody is busy preparing for the holidays make selling a house even more difficult during the Colorado winter. This is why a lot of sellers choose to wait until spring before putting their home on the market.

If you are ready to sell your house, you don’t have to wait. Here are 4 tips for selling your home in winter.

Make the most of your entrance

Winter can be dark and dreary, but that doesn’t mean that your home should look old and boring.

Spice up your home by painting your front door with a bold color. This will boost curb appeal and make your home more inviting. Evergreen plants can also liven up a drab landscape.

If you live in areas where snow falls, it is important that you clear your walkways and driveway of snow and ice. You want to make sure that potential buyers can make it to your front door without an accident.

Get the temperature right

No one likes hanging out in a chilly house. Pump up that thermostat. You want the temperature to be comfortable enough and to give potential buyers a reason to linger.

Now is not the time worry about your utility bill.

Let natural light in

Dark and cramped spaces are a big turnoff for potential homebuyers. After all, no one wants to walk into their new home and feel like they are trapped in a dungeon. Make sure your home has plenty of natural light.

Maximize natural light in your home by opening your curtains and blinds during the day. It can make your house so much brighter instantaneously. It is also a good idea to examine your windows. Any dirt or cloudiness on your panes will deflect light. If you wish to let more natural light in, get scrubbing.

Get into the festive spirit

Aim for tasteful decorations such as a nice wreath on the front door, a pinecone centerpiece, and silver glass ornaments. When adding holiday decorations, pay attention to the color scheme. Skip the red and green garland if your living rooms has a clean, all-white color scheme. Rather, opt for white candles and a white tree to complement your palette.

One last pro-tip; you want to keep neutrality throughout, so you better leave the life-sized nativity scene in storage.

Winter is on its way. For many of us, that means heavy jackets, freezing temps, and snow. It’s time to start getting your Colorado home prepared for the winter months ahead.

Here’s a list of projects you should consider completing before Old Man Winter bears down on your area.

Seal cracks and holes around doors and windows

Any holes or cracks around the doors and windows let lots of cold air in and allow heated air to escape. If left unaddressed, this can cause your heating bill to skyrocket.

Seal the air leaks around your doors and windows to keep cold air from entering your house. Foam weather stripping can help eliminate those air leaks. Rope caulk can effectively seal larger gaps.

Inspect your roof

Your roof essentially protects your entire household. You want to make sure it is in good repair before the temperatures dip.

Visually inspect your roof. One of the easiest ways to spot roof leaks is through your attic. Go to the attic on a sunny day and turn the lights off. Look for small specs of light coming through the shutters. Also, look for streaked or water-stained areas on the beams or roof trusses. If you spot any of these, it is best to call in a professional and have it repaired.

Minor roof damage can lead to leaks and an assortment of problems eventually. Get your roof fixed before the weather turns bad.

Clean the gutter

It is not uncommon for gutters to accumulate leaves and other debris. Clogged gutters can spell trouble for your home. They can allow snow and melting ice to seep into your roof or flood your home’s foundation. This is why it is important to clean and flush out your gutters at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall.  

Most people dread getting on the roof to clean the gutters. Keeping your gutters clean is a must to keep them performing properly and protect your roof, walls, and foundation from damage.

Schedule heating maintenance

During the winter, the furnace becomes your most important appliance. It helps keep you and your family warm and toasty despite the frigid weather. That said, you want to make sure that your heating system is up to snuff and ready to roll before winter weather strikes.

Schedule your annual HVAC maintenance to ensure your furnace operates optimally in winter.

During the HVAC inspection, your professional technician will check all parts of the furnace, make repairs and make sure that the system is clean and in good repair. If you put it off until winter, you might have to wait for a long time because a lot of homeowners are also in need of their services.

Unless you have already bought your forever home, the time will come when you will need to sell your Denver home. When that time comes, you want to make sure that you get the most money out of your Colorado property. After all, it is your biggest asset.

Use these tips to sell your Colorado home quickly and for the highest price possible.

Improve curb appeal

Curb appeal is how your house looks from across the street. If you are looking to sell your house, then you need to make a good first impression. Improving your home’s curb appeal will not only attract potential buyers, it will also increase the value of your property.

You don’t need to spend a huge sum of money to catapault the appeal of your home. Simple, inexpensive makeovers such as washing and repainting your home’s exterior can make your house sparkle. Plus, it can add greater value to the asking price.

Price it right

Sometimes, sellers are tempted to jack up the price of their house in the hopes of getting the most money out of their property. However, this strategy may backfire.

Majority of homebuyers have been looking for the perfect house for months. Often, they are most interested in new listings. You can expect more viewings and receive more offers during the first 2 weeks of listing, provided that the property is priced competitively. If it is significantly more expensive than similar properties, prospective buyers may lose interest and your house may linger on the market longer than expected. Nobody wants a house that rots on the market.

If you want to sell your house quickly and for top dollar, you need to price your based on the estimated market value. Keep an eye on similar properties nearby to make sure your pricing is similar.

Get the house in tip-top condition

Most buyers are looking for their dream home. They are looking for a house that doesn’t just look good, but is in good, move-in condition as well.

Before putting your house on the market, it is imperative that you focus on some home improvement projects. Tackle some issues such as plumbing problems, leaky roof, chipping paint, and a dingy floor. You want to make sure that your house is in pristine condition before selling.

Preparing your home for sale is one of best things you can do to maximize its value and make it more competitive on the market.

You’ve spent most of your weekends looking at houses. You have finally found the house of your dreams. Unfortunately, something came up in the midst of the homebuying process. Now, you’re wondering whether or not you should push through with the transaction.

Here are 3 signs it’s time to walk away from a home purchase.

Not everyone is on board

If you’re buying a house with your spouse or partner, then both parties should be on the same page. Before you start looking at houses, we suggest that you make a list of the features you want and need in a house.

Even if you think you have found the perfect house, if your partner doesn’t think it’s the one, then you shouldn’t push through with the transaction. Since both of your names are on the mortgage, both parties should walk away happy.

Even if you have already sent the contract to the seller’s agent, you are free to withdraw the offer. Let the agent know that you changed your mind. This is acceptable, provided that the seller hasn’t signed yet.

There are serious inspection issues

If the home inspection report comes back with some major issues, you may want to think twice about buying the house. Major issues such as structural damage, water damage, roof problems or faulty electrical systems are not only costly to fix; they can also pose a threat to the health and safety of your family.

If you find any of these issues on the home inspection report, it may be time to hit the brakes on your home purchase.

You can’t afford it

Some people fall in love with a house because of its appealing features or because it has character. The last thing you want is to fall in love with a house, and then find out later on that you can’t afford it.

Before you start house hunting, sit down with your partner and crunch some numbers. It is also a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Not only will it give you a good idea about how much you can afford, it can also prevent disappointment down the road.

If you can’t afford the house, it is best to back out of the real estate deal. There is no point in buying the most attractive house in the neighborhood if you’ll end up living like a peasant in the coming years.

Most buyers have a house inspected before they buy it. One of the biggest fears of sellers is for buyers to find out about some issues they aren’t aware of. This is why it is important to have the property inspected before putting it on the market.  

Getting a pre-listing inspection offers some benefits to sellers. It will help you determine what condition your house is in and avoid any unexpected surprises. This will ensure that the selling process goes smoothly and gets you the most money for your home.

Hire a good inspector

There are lots of inspectors out there. Since home inspectors in some states are not required to be licensed, it can be difficult to identify the good ones from the bad ones. Anyone can easily pose as a home inspector, especially in states where regulations are not stringent.

If you have family or friends who recently bought or sold a house, feel free to ask for recommendations. Your real estate agent may also know a good inspector. But before you hire one, make sure that you do some research to protect yourself from hiring an unqualified home inspector. Go online and read reviews from past clients. It is also a good idea to interview the inspector, ask a few questions and see a sample of a home inspection report.

Prepare the house for inspection

The primary purpose of a home inspection is to examine the condition of the house. In order to do their job properly, inspectors will need access to different parts of your home. They need access to the attic, basement, garage, crawlspace, and other areas. Get rid of clutter and remove anything that blocks access. Prepare each area for inspection and unlock all doors before the inspector arrives.

Attend the home inspection

Attending the home inspection isn’t mandatory. But whenever possible, we strongly recommend that you be present during the inspection.

By attending the inspection, you’ll be able to identify the issues you have never noticed and determine which ones need immediate repair. This way, you can make certain repairs prior to selling.

Read the report

A home inspection report is basically a huge list of everything that is wrong with your house. Make sure that you read the report carefully and thoroughly to help you understand the condition of your home. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to pay attention on major issues as well as those that can pose a threat on the health of potential homeowners. You want to make sure that your house is in pristine condition before putting it on the market.