Getting your home let this winter – what are the top tips?

Arrange viewings in the daylight

Homes generally look best in the daytime, when a viewer can really see the property and get a proper feel for it. Prospective tenants might also feel more comfortable viewing in the daytime if this can be achieved.

If night-time viewings are the only suitable option, and with work and other distractions that may be the case for many, make sure the home is well-lit, cosy and welcoming. The use of light becomes particularly important when there is little of it outside.

Don’t ignore your garden

Just because it’s wintertime, doesn’t mean that you should completely neglect or ignore your garden.

For one, a neglected and overgrown garden doesn’t give the best impression to prospective tenants. What’s more, there will be some tenants who will be keen to make use of any outside space you have, even in the winter months.

Having a clean and tidy garden also enables you to showcase how tenants could use this in the warmer spring and summer months, when BBQs, eating al-fresco and entertaining becomes more commonplace again.

Luckily, cleaning up your garden won’t take much time, effort or money – or you could call in an expert to do the job to a high standard for you.

Make your marketing season-specific

Property adverts showing a BBQ area in the height of summer or a living room basking in sunlight might not be the best shout when winter hits and there is more call for hunkering down in front of the fire or cooking up hearty dishes in the kitchen.

By making your photography season-specific, you can make your adverts more focused and attractive to tenants. Work closely with your letting agent to get your marketing strategy right.

Utilise the local area to your advantage

If you know that the local area has Christmas markets, a popular grotto or Winter Wonderland, or other Christmas and winter-based activities, don’t be afraid to mention this on the viewing – or ask your letting agent to do this on your behalf. It’s unlikely to be the deal-clincher, but for some tenants, the local area – and the activities and sense of community it provides – will be of vital importance.

At the same time, point out local amenities, local transport links and green space, which will all be appealing to would-be tenants.

Consider bills-inclusive

This is a very personal decision, and has its pros and cons, but you might find that tenants – more than ever – appreciate a bills-included package.

So, if you are in a position to make this feasible, it might be something worth considering. Of course, energy bills have soared (although there’s some evidence they have now plateaued), so this might not be practical. But you could improve your chances of attracting tenants quickly and avoiding void periods by opting for this route.

To give yourself the best chance of filling your home with tenants this winter, it’s recommended that you work closely with an experienced, local letting agent – who knows their patch inside out and can help you to get the most from your tenancies.

Farrell Heyworth operates in the busy North West towns and villages of Barrow in Furness, Morecambe, Lancaster, Garstang, Cleveleys, Fulwood and Chorley. Our Southport and Ormskirk service areas no longer offer a sales service, they are exclusively lettings. To find out how we can assist you on your lettings journey, please get in touch with us today.

We encourage all our customers to register with our My FH portal, which will give you access to the most up-to-date information; remotely and at your convenience.

You can also find out how much you could be charging on the local rental market by requesting a free and instant online valuation today.