Maintaining your property: the winter selling and letting window

The nights are drawing in and the Christmas lights have been switched on which can only mean one thing: winter is here!

It’s the perfect time for getting the cosy jumpers out of the attic and making a festive hot drink to keep warm, but how can you protect and maintain your property during the colder months?

How are properties affected in the winter?

While it’s all preventable with the right protection, your home could be affected by the following:

• Mould – With the instinct to keep the heat in, condensation can cause moisture to build up and become trapped inside your home, encouraging mould to grow. You can regulate air in your home by opening a window slightly or investing in a dehumidifier.
• Clogged gutters – Unmaintained gutters can become clogged with windblown leaves, causing water to leak into your property and can result in floods or damage your home’s foundations.
• Health problems – Not only is your home’s health at risk, but your physical health could be too. Living in a cold home can cause health complications from high blood pressure and common colds to heart attacks and pneumonia.

How can I protect my property?

Despite the problems the cold weather can bring, they can all be avoided with a careful approach to make your property fit for the sales or lettings market in the new year.

• Keep your home warm – With rising energy prices you may be resisting the urge to turn up the thermostat, but not turning the heating on at all could result in pipes freezing and bursting. To prevent this, have the heating on for at least an hour each day, and make sure your radiators are not obstructed and have been properly bled for the most efficient result. Setting your heating on a timer may be helpful, especially if you are planning to sell or let a vacant property.
• Keep the heat in – There are plenty of ways to keep the warmth inside the house without racking up a hefty heating bill. Keep doors, curtains and blinds shut to prevent the heat from escaping, or opt for draught excluders to stop the cold air from creeping in – but remember to keep the air circulating to avoid mould build up!
• Give your property a makeover – As we near the Christmas season, menial tasks to maintain your property can often take a backseat but when it comes to competitive prices, first impressions are everything. Whether it’s a lick of paint, some new curtains or cleaning out the gutters, set aside some time to show your property some love.

Why now?

Choosing the high maintenance tasks in the winter months will make your property a low maintenance one come the spring, and you will be ready to hit the market.

First-time buyers are more likely to start their property journey in the new year rather than in the festive season, so be prepared and have your property ready to launch to the market by those first few weeks in January.

When promoting your property in the colder months, it’s key to emphasise its energy efficiency so buyers and renters can feel confident that amidst the surging energy prices they can turn the heating on without worrying too much about the price. If you’re wondering how to prove your home’s efficiency, you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Getting your property out there in those first few weeks will prompt buyers and prospective tenants to book viewings and reduces the risk of competitive prices.

With over 50 years’ experience of selling and letting homes in Cardiff, we are constantly in tune with the industry and know how it will change from season to season. With help from our experts, we can get your property sold or let with a hassle free process. Call us on 02920 626252 or visit https://thomashwood.com/