Top tips for selling a home in winter

 

Winter brings our favorite holidays to spend with family and loved ones. Therefore, significant changes like relocation and home hunts usually wait for spring. Still, if a unique opportunity in your life shows up, timing is not always a priority. Selling a home in the offseason might not be ideal since many future homeowners prefer home hunting during the spring and summer months. That means sellers need to put extra effort into making houses attractive and appealing during the winter while focusing on specific home improvements. However, the process is not complicated as it sounds. You need to prepare well and adjust the home selling strategy to reflect the season. If you're considering putting up your house on the market in the upcoming months, here are the expert tips for selling a home in winter.

Focus on seasonal maintenance and home improvements

Winterizing your home every year is necessary when living in a temperate or climate with harsher winters. Whether you're simply taking care of your home maintenance or preparing it for sale, you need to be sure things work like a clock, saving you from potential mishaps and discomfort low temperatures and bad weather can bring. Therefore, before putting a home on the market, focus on maintenance and improvements that will make an easier sale:

• roof inspection and repair,

• HVAC and heating system maintenance,

• sealing doors and windows drafts for better insulation,

• cleaning gutters,

• examining pipework,

• checking for traces of mold and mildew,

• having a chimney and fireplace checked.

Paying attention to necessary improvements can add to your home value and make a faster sale since no one wants additional costs when moving to a "new" house. Also, you won't have to worry about inconveniences during home inspections and showings if something doesn't work during viewings.

Silver, white, and light pastel color details and textures can bring the winter spirit to any home.

Stage to amaze

Many real estate agents agree that creating a warm and welcoming house-staging atmosphere is one of the most important tips for selling a house in winter. A cozy vibe attracts most buyers regardless of season, so do your best to make every part of the house appealing. The potential buyer needs to imagine their life in such surroundings but to make such ambiance, you'll need to depersonalize the place.

When staging your home, to impress possible buyers, you'll need to focus on neutral furniture and snug fabric and texture choice. Use thick drapes to address the vertical decor, and throw pillows and blankets on beds and armchairs to create a feeling of comfort. Some sellers use winter scents such as clove and cinnamon aromas during showings, but scents can be a turnoff if associated with bad memories. Thus, instead of using smells to create a certain appeal, use the real thing instead. Offer a serious buyer a cup of winter tea or mulled wine.

Lighting can do wonders in winter homes

The sun rises later and sets earlier during winter, allowing less natural light in our homes. Since natural light is essential, invest in brighter light fixtures when working on home improvements. In addition, you can add some ambient light for a pleasant atmosphere. 

Track light or festive candles can accent corners and specific features of place.

Show off with energy-efficient appliances

The opportunity for saving money on utilities is a great feature to emphasize. Therefore, if your house has quality energy-efficient appliances, you should take advantage of them. In addition, when investing in improvements to add value to the property, consider eco-friendly features installments.

Make sure your curb appeal is seasonally appropriate

When selling a home in winter, many homeowners make bad choices when working on a curb appeal. Winter brings holidays, which can help with the sale. However, sometimes sellers go overboard with festivity decor. A home can look tacky if many colorful lights and specific holiday decor are used. Such items distract the potential buyers and hide the best features your home exterior has. Therefore, instead of going all-in with holiday decorations, invest in pleasant and neutral landscape lighting and seasonal plants.

Make sure your outdoor furniture is clean and stored since it has no purpose during winter. According to moving and storage experts from promoversmiami.com, the number of sellers who opt to rent storage units rises at the end of the year. This is due to storing not only holiday decorations but also curb decor and patio furniture.

White lanterns with LED light can create a fairytale-like ambient if selling a home in winter with snow

Keep everything fresh and clean

Nothing repels buyers more than a dirty house. Cleaning every inch of the home is crucial when putting a home for sale. Every detail needs to be tended evenly, from deep cleaning the carpets, hardwood floors, and upholstery to power washing the outdoor stairs, porches, and driveways.

Pay special attention when cleaning certain areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen. They are critical features in any home, and at the same time, they are very high-traffic areas. Keep them fresh and neat at all times, especially if you plan to live in the house during showings.

Benefits of selling your home in winter

Regardless of the slower housing market end of the year and holiday season brings, winter sales have its perks. Firstly, many sellers will pause the sale until spring or take the home off the market. This means less competition and more motivated buyers. In addition, your home won't get lost in a sea of houses the market has. 

Whether it's your ad or home staging, introducing a discreet holiday aesthetic will do wonders. Therefore, to attract more potential buyers, follow these top tips for selling a home in winter and stay neutral with decor. Winter brings festivities for many cultures; thus, remaining unbiased will help a lot with the genuine appeal. You can decorate your home in a festive spirit even without setting up a flashy Christmas tree. Instead, focus on lighting and neutral decor that will bring out the best features of your home interior and exterior.

Photos used:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/contemporary-country-house-facade-in-winter-7031406/

https://unsplash.com/photos/yL9ruXs5I9c

https://unsplash.com/photos/iKHXbvNHXPQ

https://unsplash.com/photos/qC117ahi-mE

5 Tips to Decorating Your Home Without Sacrificing Household Safety

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They say, "home is where the heart is." A home provides warmth, shelter, and security from the outside. It keeps its residents safe from the harsh elements of the outside world.; but what about safety from the inside?

Fire safety is and has always been a primary concern of homeowners and home builders alike, along with security and durability. However, with fires being so destructive, it should never be a question of "should I prioritize fire safety?" but rather "what kinds of fire safety systems should I have?"

It's important to know that we can only achieve complete safety through the total cooperation of individuals because fire safety is such a concern. 

Therefore, prevention, training, and first response are essential pieces of information everyone should know. These are practiced and maintained by governing bodies such as fire departments, contractors, interior designers, architects, etc. High-rise condominiums, offices, schools, and homes also observe and practice these preventions steps.

Fire is one of the top hazards inside a home, and it's essential to have a home equipped with the proper safety measures, installed with the right tools and systems by the appropriate people, and inspected by the relevant organizations. 

Fire Statistics

A report from the National Fire Protection Association states that, in 2020, a home structure fire occurred every 89 seconds, home fire deaths occurred every three hours and 24 minutes, and a home fire injury occurred every 46 minutes. It also states that, in the same year, one-quarter of the fires (26%) occurred in home properties.

These numbers equate to lives lost and properties destroyed during fires. The alarming data pushes everyone to start taking into account the prospect of acquiring a house that's complete with fire safety systems.

One would think that these homes would cost more than a traditional one because of the additional safety measures like fire-resistant doors, alarm systems, etc. However, they cost roughly around the same as a typical home.

There may be some additional cost, but that should not be reason enough to stop constructing safer homes. Besides, different payment methods like installment buying make home-buying a more flexible process for everyone. 

Safety in Homes

Now, we go back to the question of "What kinds of safety fire systems should I install?" First, we need to understand the importance of implementing a beautiful yet safe and secure home. Contractors and homebuilders are well-equipped with the knowledge to ensure that everyone living in the house they're building is safe; this includes going over fire safety in the design and blueprint.

Does this mean a home has to be thick, bulky, and unappealing to the eyes? Of course not! Thankfully, there are many ways to achieve a beautifully designed home, equipped with the proper safety tools and systems and carefully designed by professionals who put safety as the top priority. 

A Safe and Beautiful Home

Many people think that wanting a safe house means that they have to sacrifice beauty and style, but that's far from the truth. Engineers have been fireproofing construction materials for centuries, and now, modern-day interior designers and architects have made it possible to have a beautiful yet safe home.

Here are some tips that will help achieve a beautiful home without compromising safety and security. 

1. Make it squeaky clean.

Cleanliness is probably one of the most obvious ways to achieve a stylish and safe home. Cleaning is such an integral part of housekeeping. From mopping the floors to wiping countertops, it keeps a home habitable. But apart from that, cleaning can also provide a safe environment for residents.

Simply sorting out wires in electronics helps prevent entanglement that may cause a short circuit, electrical fire, or electric shock. Likewise, sprucing up the lawn, raking dried leaves, and trimming tree branches would keep the outside looking tidy and prevent any combustible material from coming near the home, especially if the house caught fire from the outside.

2. Use smart technology.

Home automation is one of the indicators of a modern home—from smart curtains to TVs and even vacuums! Smart appliances are a great help for the homeowner since they can monitor, control, and secure activities even when there's no one at home. This activity monitoring is one of the best ways to ensure a safe house.

Some smart appliances also aid in preventing residential fire. Some examples of these are smart smoke detectors, stovetops, and plugs. By utilizing these smart appliances, residents lessen the risk of forgetting to turn off, unplug, or put out their usual fire-causing devices.

Did you know that cooking takes the top spot as the usual cause of house fires? Having the power to regulate the use of these common fire-causing appliances even when not home minimizes the chances of a fire breaking out in the home.

3. Make the space ergonomic.

Making a space ergonomic is one way to prevent an accident. Ergonomics is the study of people in their working environment. An ergonomist designs or modifies the area to fit the worker, not the other way around, to eliminate discomfort and risk of injury. Adapting the working environment to how a person works could minimize the chances of an injury or accident.

Make sure that the working area, such as a desk or table, is free from clutter. Designate a place where other items not used for work, such as glasses and snacks, can go. Keep wires organized and away from the leg area so they won't be accidentally stepped on or tangled in.

In kitchens, it's essential to have a space for everything—a designated place to put cutlery, the pantry essentials, sauce bottles, condiments, and others. Keep paper towels on a stand and away from stoves, as well. Don't forget to remove aprons, potholders, and any other combustible material away from the stovetop.

Not only are these ways to minimize clutter, but they can also speed up food prep time. And a reminder for everyone when working in an area: "Don't put it down, put it away." 

4. Install safety systems.

Implementing several safety systems in homes, such as fire alarms and security cameras, can significantly help homeowners. These systems are automated and can be remotely accessed. Keeping them maintained and functional is essential to the continuous protection of everyone inside the home.

The good news is that nowadays, safety doesn't have to equate to tacky or boring. As we've mentioned, fireproofing structures have been in process for centuries. Since then, there have been significant improvements in creating these safety systems in materials, compounds, and designs. We now have access to cost-efficient, effective, and stylish materials.

Take an exterior glass, for example. Residential exterior glass is any outer wall made primarily of windows and window framing. Glass windows make any room look spacious. They let the room catch sunlight to make it bright, lift the mood, and turn it into a conducive area for work.

Nowadays, there are exterior glasses made from fire-rated glass that compartmentalize smoke and flames and prevent dangerous levels of heat transmission through its glazing.

5. Think about the home's layout.

Don't forget that a home's layout is essential in fire prevention, as well as in capturing the overall feel and design. Depending on the location, remembering some safety tips can help immensely. For instance, wildfires typically blaze faster uphill than on a ground level.

Another consideration is the kitchen position. Having the kitchen too far from the entrance could add extra seconds to carrying the grocery bags, but it could also mean extra seconds before getting to the door if a fire breaks out. 

Finally, the size of the driveway—a small driveway might be difficult when parking, but it could also mean an ordeal for rescue operators as they try to get inside the area in case of emergencies. Again, homeowners should strategize these details with their contractors, architects, and engineers to optimize the home to the best design and safety practices. 

The Breakdown

A home is a place of security for anyone residing there. It keeps them safe, warm, and protected from the elements, including fires. People have been in constant pursuit of the best ways to prevent house fires, and they’ve come a long way, learning from mistakes of the past. 

We now have access to many options for fire-preventive systems, tools, designs, and materials. These options don't have to mean tacky or tawdry. With the innovations in technology, we have smart appliances and automated safety systems that look just as chic, all while looking after our homes when we can’t do so personally. 

Create the perfect ambiance to relax and unwind when designing a home. The addition of these safety features shouldn't change that feeling. 

Home care is more than just cleaning your floors and fixing broken lightbulbs. It takes diligence, effort, and strategy to build a beautiful home that provides safety against people with ill intentions and protection from the forces of nature. 

Every homeowner aims to safeguard their homes, and now they can achieve security with style and not one over the other. Gone are the days when we had to choose between what we wanted and what we needed. 

Best flea markets in NYC

 

If you are into flea market shopping, the Big Apple is the place to go. There are tons of flea markets in NYC scattered around, and today we will share with you some of them that are the best of the best. So, if you are somebody who already enjoys thrift shops or vintage stores, you already know how exhilarating browsing flea markets can be.

Flea markets are places for treasure hunting. And, it does not matter what you consider treasure - clothes, shoes, jewelry, pieces of furniture, decorative home items, etc., you can find it there. And, you will be able to snack while doing so as all NYC's flea markets have fantastic street food stands that will satiate your hunger. All in all, checking flea markets in NYC is a fun experience. So, whether you are an experienced flea-goer or somebody who has never done this before, be sure to check out the following flea markets. 

Brooklyn Flea 

As fashion trends are changing, so is our need for buying new clothing pieces. And, that is why the Brooklyn Flea has not one but two locations. It is located in Williamsburg on Saturdays and in Dumno on Sundays. Both sites are easily accessible by car, public transportation, or on foot. So, the next time you find yourself in one of these two locations, be sure to give the Brooklyn Flea a visit. This is the place to be if you decluttered and made room in your humble home recently and you are now ready to fill it with something new and completely different. This flea market has it all - from clothing pieces to furniture pieces. And, it has something that others do not - creative artists and all of their creations. Yes, artists tend to gather here during the weekend and 'create' their art right in front of you - so, besides shopping, here you can also entertain yourself by seeing how art is born. 

Brooklyn Flea Market is considered NYC's main attraction.

Grand Bazaar 

You can find Grand Bazaar Flea Market in the Upper West Side. This is NYC's oldest and biggest flea market. So, as you guessed it - you can find pretty much anything you imagine here. However, most people who come here look for antiques and vintage pieces. You can find these kinds of goodies on the stalls of over 100 merchants (for an excellent price too). There are also artists selling their creations, small-business owners selling their goods, and just people selling second-hand items. And if you are packing for the move, you can even get all the supplies you need, too - from cardboard boxes to dollies - Grand Bazar has got you covered. But, be warned - this flea market is huge! You will need an entire day (or maybe even more) to check every stall and see every item. So, arm yourself with patience and put on the most comfortable walking shoes - you will need both!

Queens Night Market 

Queens Night Market is the only flea market in New York City that is open until midnight. So, if you are a night owl, you know where to go. Just like all markets mentioned above, here you can also buy high-quality pieces of furniture, antique and vintage household knick-knacks, clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, etc. However, what makes this flea market special is that merchants here come from all over the world. To be exact, they come from 80 different countries of the world. And, so do their goods. Thus, this is an excellent place to check out if you are looking for something imported, unique, and simply different. But, that is not all - Queens Night Market is also famous for its food vendors. Here is where you can try some of the best international street foods and drinks in all of New York.

If you want to try some international specialties, check out the Queens Night Market

The Bronx Night Market 

Okay, this is not an entirely 'night' market as it closes around 7 pm. But, hey, it is still open a lot longer than other NYC flea markets that usually close between 12 pm and 3 pm (except for the Queens Night Market). So, if you work on Saturdays and Sundays, the Bronx Night Market may be a good place to check out when you are on the look for something new. And, when we say - new, we really mean it. This market supports local, small businesses, and it always includes them and their products/services. Here you can find designers with their own lines, carpenters with their furniture pieces, artists with their paintings, and artistic and innovative people with their creations.

Believe it or not, but at the Bronx Flea Market, you can equip your entire home with new (or second-hand) items as well as fill your entire closet with some unique pieces. So, if this is what you plan on doing, we strongly suggest finding some moving help on Best Movers NYC as you will need somebody to help you with packing, transporting, assembling, and storing everything you buy. 

The Bronx Night Market has everything you need for your home and your closet.

So, Where Should You Go First? 

We have mentioned only four flea markets in NYC. In our opinion, they are the best of the best. However, what you consider the best may vary from what we think. So, our suggestion is to do your research first and see what you like. As we live in the age of technology, that is relatively easy to do. All you have to do is a bit of googling on the flea markets around NYC. Some of them will be the best for buying bedroom furniture, for example, while others will be the best for purchasing clothing. Besides the four previously mentioned flea markets, check out the following: The Hester Street Fair, The Williamsburg Market, The Chelsea Market, The SoHo Market, The Nolita Market, etc. 

Images used:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/art-house-vintage-table-9821471/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-standing-near-store-and-different-cameras-hanging-3170430/

https://pixabay.com/photos/flea-market-browse-was-standing-270566/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-stores-2240361/