Now May Be the Best Time to Sell Your Home

Published in the Anchorage Daily New on 2.15.2024

Because waiting until June to sell your home is a myth. With our record snow fall of over 100 inches, it just takes a little more work to get the home ready but it may be well worth it. Housing  inventory is always the lowest during these dark winter months and so there is less competition. Today, there are only 133 single family homes on the market today in the Municipality of Anchorage.  Sellers who wait until the snow is gone and the crocus bloom have more competition not only with resale but new construction. Come late spring/early summer builders’ homes begin to sprout. But it’s after the holiday season that local buyers begin to start thinking about this may be the year to make a move.  Aging boomers say ‘not another winter’ especially like the one we have had this year and their decisions to downsize into a condo here or Arizona makes room for others on the housing ladder to move up. Relocation buyers start their house hunting in late January. Their goal is to find a home, work their way through the property inspection and negotiation for repairs and close their escrow about the time school is out in their current location.  Employers want their employees’ families to experience the best of Alaska during its long summer days and provide an opportunity for the family to get settled in a new community and neighborhood  before school starts in the fall. 

With our record snowfall, deciding to sell now does seem like an arduous task but with less competition you may have the benefit of obtaining a better but fair value.  First and foremost is safe and easy accessibility to the home.  The obvious is a clear driveway, sidewalk and  front porch. And while you have the shovel or snowblower in hand don’t forget the back deck. With this winter’s record snowfall, you should follow the advice issued by the MOA as to whether or not to remove the snow from your roof.  But just shoveling it off the roof may not be the only action you will need to take.  You may also need to have it hauled away in order to keep the melting spring snow away from your foundation.  Although not all potential buyers may go down to your crawl space, I can
assure you their home inspector will.  I once heard a quote that almost 50% of Anchorage crawl spaces have water in the spring.  This may be the year that statement becomes a reality for your home. In addition, you will also want to address any ice damming on your roof before putting your home on the market. First exterior impressions are especially important in winter because there is no attractive landscaping to catch the eyes of potential buyers so  keep all your exterior lights on even during the day.

Once inside, make sure your potential buyers have a bench or chair so that they have a place to take off their boots.  Also, clear out a space in the coat closet or rack at the entrance so that buyers can remove their winter gear.  Your goal is to make it comfortable for them to remain in the home. A warm 72 to 75 degrees will keep your potential buyers in the home longer, especially at subzero temperatures outside. Don’t make the mistake that some builders do who keep their thermostat at 62 degrees to save on costs. And remember, if you have in floor radiant heat, give plenty of time to warm up the home because in floor radiant heat takes longer to reach the desired temperature.  If you have summer pictures of the yard, garden, flowers, landscaping please display them. Your landscaped home saves a new construction buyer about $20,000. If you include all appliances and window coverings, its’ at least an additional $15,000.   

I’ve visited two seller’s homes this past week and both had bouquets of fresh flowers at the entrance and/or dining room table. Flowers will bring a smile to anyone’s face on these still dark days.  Both Carrs and Fred Meyers have fresh flower displays at very reasonable prices. House plants starve for daylight during our dark winters.  Take a hard look and remove those plants that have that pale dreary look despite your best efforts in caring for them. During any season, I recommend a wreath at the front door. Turn on all lamps and overhead lighting, even on a sunny winter day.  Raise and open all window coverings and make sure your windows are sparkling clean.   Fluffy blankets and throws in 2024 designer  colors of deep greens, rich purples and blue nova make an older home feel more contemporary. There are lots of President’s sales the end of February to add a new touch of color at little cost.  

And finally declutter!  Buyers are looking for space and want to use their imagination on where their furnishings will fit into a home.  Too much clutter, furniture, art detracts from the space. A good rule of thumb, depending on your hoarding instincts, is to remove anywhere from twenty to fifty percent of anything that touches the floor.   Kitchens are the heart of any home so  counters need to be clear except for that espresso machine you received for Christmas. Wipe off doorknobs and  fingerprints where you always a touch door, cabinet or wall.  Winter air seems to collect interior odors.  Open your windows before a visit and even leave an inch or two open for showings.  I’m not an advocate of the bread in the oven or the spicy apple cider but Febreeze definitely helps clear the air.  And remember the look of a well-cared for home adds value.