Winter is coming: How to prepare your home

Winter is coming: How to prepare your home

As winter approaches where cold and wet conditions prevail, homeowners should take proactive steps to ensure their homes remain comfortable and to maintain their value. Selling over these months also comes with its challenges, but being proactive can help minimise damage and ensure a speedy sale.

Whether you are planning to sell over winter or not, taking steps to prepare your home for the winter season is a great way to safeguard the investment value of your home by preventing possible damages caused by the weather conditions.

For starters, Autumn leaves can clog gutters, leading to water overflow and potential damage. Before the heavy rains come, clean out gutters and downspouts to prevent water accumulation and protect your home's foundation and walls.

The summer heat can also cause materials to perish, allowing unwelcomed drafts during the winter months. On a clear day, it is recommended checking all windows and doors for damages. Use weather stripping or caulking to seal gaps, enhancing energy efficiency and keeping your home warm.

If you have an indoor fireplace that hasn't been used in a while, it is also a good idea to clean it and ensure the chimney is free from obstructions. This should prevent you from being smoked out of the room the first time you start a cosy indoor fire.

Addressing issues like dampness, mold, and structural damage promptly can prevent depreciation and make your home more appealing to potential buyers when you do later decide to sell.

Selling a home in winter also presents unique challenges that homeowners ought to be prepared for. Looking at our own figures over the past five years, home sales do not slow down over the winter months. However, what does shift is buyer behaviour. Ensuring that your listing stands out online will help entice buyers to come view the home in person - even on cold and rainy days.

In preparation for a winter sale, homeowners should take some time to prepare easy access to the property for rainy days. Clear the pathways and cut back any plants that could blow over in the wind. To avoid a muddy entry, place stepping stones or add paving leading to the front door.

Staging can also make a significant difference, especially when selling during the colder months. If you do not already have some winter décor items, do some shopping now so that you can warm up your space for winter. Incorporate plush throws, thicker rugs, and extra lamps to create a snug environment.

By proactively preparing your home for winter, you not only ensure a comfortable living environment but also maintain and potentially enhance your property's market value. For those who are planning to sell over the colder months, we would recommend speaking to a local real estate agent for some free advice on what improvements could be made before your listing hits the market. This can ensure that your property does not lose its 'new-to-market' appeal, giving you a better chance to sell fast and at full value.

Fireplace safety tips from TheSpruce

• Wear protective gear, such as eye protection and a face mask when cleaning your fireplace.
• Keep an eye on how close you place rugs, chairs, curtains, and toys from the fireplace. These items are not fireproof and need to be kept a safe distance away from the hearth. Non-flammable hearth rugs are sold at fireplace supply retailers.
• Always test how your fireplace functions after it is cleaned or repaired. Do so by lighting a small log to see if the smoke is directed up the flue. Smoke should never come into the room.
• Stop dangerous embers from escaping by installing a blower with a fireplace-rated glass door, which will also aid with heat circulation.
• Never leave your home, go to sleep, or otherwise leave a fire or any embers in the fireplace unattended. It is critical to always put active fires out responsibly.

Extract From Property 24