Should You Sell Your Duplex in Minneapolis During Winter?
Winters in Minneapolis can be harsh, with freezing temperatures, loads of snow, and occasional rains. Blizzards are not uncommon either. While the snowclad trees, frozen lakes, and pristine white paths look magical during the cold months, winter is not the best time to sell duplex in Minneapolis. People tend to feel under the weather and are usually reluctant to plow through all the snow for an open house.
However, winter is also when you face less competition in the real estate market compared to spring or summer. And if you are strategic about it, you can attract serious buyers who are ready to brave chilly air and frost to seal the deal and move in. Snow can also cloak minor imperfections in your property. So, read on to unlock some helpful tips to sell your duplex in Minneapolis when the temperature plummets.
Tips to Sell Your Duplex in Minneapolis during Winter Months
Listed below are a few things you can do to sell duplex in Minneapolis easily despite the cold and seasonal uncertainties:
- Price the Property for the Winter Season: Research well and conduct a comparative analysis based on other properties in your area before zeroing in on the price. Just because fewer people are looking to buy houses during winter doesn’t mean you should undervalue your property. Be aware of the existing market conditions and know the median sale price so you can price your place competitively. Negotiate if possible, as winter buyers are often eager to close a deal quickly and need to move in urgently. Hire a reputed property management company for the sale if required.
- Tweak the Marketing Strategy: Winter might not be the best time to sell a house in MN, but adopting a different marketing strategy (vis-s-vis summer or spring) can help. So, show off any advanced insulation features, modern fireplaces, an intelligent thermostat, or sustainable energy-saving appliances. Potential buyers will be more interested if they find out they can save on utility bills during winter.
- Focus on Curb Appeal: Curb appeal is a key factor when it comes to selling a property fast. So, make sure there are no dead leaves lying around the lawn or sticking to windows. Use a roof rake to get rid of small icicles and melt tablets to clear away the snow. You can also hire professionals to remove big icicles. Clean the gutters as well. If possible, add a few evergreen shrubs or winter-safe plants for color.
- Make Walkways Safe: Your walkways and driveway should be free from any snow, ice, or wet leaves. After all, you want to avoid slips and falls when a potential buyer shows up. Use a snow blower or shovel to clear up all areas that see movement and sprinkle salt afterwards. Add lights along the driveway and walkways ideally, as winter days in MN are often dark and the sun sets quickly.
- Keep Up with Repairs and Maintenance: Taking care of winter-specific improvements can help you sell your duplex faster. So, if the weather stripping around external doors is getting drafty, replace it. Minimize air leaks by sealing around windows and get an HVAC professional to service your furnace. Fix any broken windows, leaky faucets, clogged drains, or cracked tiles. Your property should be in perfect shape during showings, and prospective buyers shouldn’t feel the need to fix anything during the bitter cold.
- Make the Interiors Bright and Warm: To sell duplex in Minneapolis during winter, make sure the interiors look spacious, cozy, and inviting. Reorganize the furniture if required, add a layer of fresh paint, and throw in plenty of artificial lights. You can also affix brighter bulbs to existing fixtures. During the day, keep the blinds open to let in as much natural light as possible. Turn up the thermostat and turn on any gas fireplace you might have. Prospective buyers should feel comfortable while exploring the property.
- Remove Clutter and Personal Effects: If you want to sell your duplex in Minneapolis fast, help potential buyers visualize their lives in your property. It goes without saying that you must tidy up the space, but also ensure you remove all personal items like clothes, sports equipment, toys, family photos, and so on.
- Decorate Seasonally: When it comes to staging your property, keep it simple and tasteful and avoid going overboard with holiday elements. For instance, simple string lights on the outside and inside can infuse seasonality without overwhelming visitors. You can also place a holiday tree in the common area, but pick a size that doesn’t crowd out the space. Avoid flashy decorations or religious items. Adding soft throws and cushions to sofas and beds and putting out a tray of freshly baked cookies can make for a homely mood.
- Show the Summer Look: Just because you are selling a home in winter, it doesn’t mean you can’t give buyers an idea about how it looks in summer. For that, you must plan ahead and take good pictures during warm months or at least before the cold sets in. It will also help you showcase outdoor features like a beautiful garden, expansive yard, swanky pool, or a stylish patio in the right light.
- Be Flexible with Showings: To sell duplex in Minneapolis, be as flexible as possible when it comes to private showings. Since potential buyers are already inconvenienced by unfriendly weather conditions, they will appreciate your generosity. This way, they can also avoid going out in a sudden bout of rain or hailstorm. In case you are planning an open house, do it on a weekend and when there is minimal or no chance of a snowfall.
Conclusion
It is not impossible to sell your duplex in Minneapolis when the mercury drops. In fact, you should go for it, as you can capitalize on less competition and the availability of serious buyers. Just follow the above tips to ease the experience for potential buyers and make sure your property looks appealing, comfortable, and functional.
Hiring one of the top
in the Greater Twin Cities area can also make it hassle-free to sell a duplex in winter. They will not only have a fair idea about the market dynamics and price trends, but can also handle everything necessary to simplify showings and make your home ready for sale.
Sell Your Duplex during Winter Months with Guardian Property Management
While winter might not be the best time to sell a house in MN, at
, we can strategize the preparation, marketing, staging, and showing of your duplex in the best way possible. Our experts can help you secure the best price as well. To discuss your requirements in detail, contact Guardian Property Management today.
You can send an email to
or call 651-287-2011 to fix up a consultation.
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