By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Wintertime conjures images of frigid weather and, for those looking to sell their homes, a cooling real estate market. But if you’ve decided the time is right for your move, there’s no reason to wait until spring.

“There’s never a bad time to sell,” says Bonnie Handrahan, owner and manager of Hingham Real Estate Company, Inc. “In fact, this particular area seems to be kind of insulated,” she says of the Massachusetts coastline.

And, according to Linden Ponds Retirement Counselor Marisa Kelley, selling in winter has its perks.

“The winter can actually be a good time to sell your house, because not as many people have their houses on the market,” she says. “It’s a more concentrated time. People looking [in winter] are really serious about buying and are not just browsing.”

Tips for showcasing your house
Handrahan offers these tips to make your home even more attractive to potential buyers:

1. Keep the inside of the house tidy and free of clutter. Empty closets and depersonalize the home by removing family photos.

2. “Make sure the kitchen and baths are sparkling,”  Handrahan says.

3. Add some “not overdone but light seasonal decorating,” she advises—wreaths outside and some mantle greenery and light ornamentation inside. A Christmas tree is fine as long as it isn’t in the walkway.

4. Clear pathways to the front and back doors to make the environment safe for you and others.

5. Choose a Realtor to help. “Especially during the holidays, it’s hard enough trying to do everything you have to do without getting showings scheduled,” Handrahan says. “People would be wise to choose a Realtor that they trust who will listen to their needs.”

Support for sellers
Alice Tweedy, who moved to Linden Ponds from Braintree last February, participated in monthly “Chatting About Change” meetings that the community organized for people who were trying to sell their homes.