Winter Selling Crested Butte Homes

What is different about Winter Selling Crested Butte Homes? You may be considering Selling your Crested Butte home this winter? I have had many couples who were going to sell this summer – but they wanted one last summer season (especially given the Covid pandemic) and are now thinking about selling…

If you are hoping to sell your home during the winter, you will need to take some extra steps to prepare your home to look its best!

I work with many clients that have enjoyed their mountain dream home for years, but now they are excited about the next chapter in their life. Many older couples I have worked with are not spending much time in their Crested Butte home in the winter, and are challenged by the harsh winter conditions. Most sell their Crested Butte homes so they can buy a home closer to where their kids and grandkids live. Selling in the Winter season can bring some additional challenges…

Crested Butte Winter

The beauty of Crested Butte in the winter is the high altitude cold and dry snow that is “champagne powder” and a joy to ski. The flip side is that the cold winters with lots of snow can create extra effort when selling a home. Below are a list of items to consider in the winter selling Crested Butte Homes.

Turn up the Temperature In Your Home

I had a client who was used to keeping their home temperature set to 55 degrees when nobody was in the home in the winter. This may be a cost savings if the home is vacant, but not a good impression and feeling for a buyer who takes their shoes off and walks through a cold home. A home with in-floor radiant heat and warm floors in the winter is a great selling point for many buyers.

I have an HVM Home monitoring system in my home (security system) that we rarely use for “security” because there is little to no crime in Crested Butte, but we have “water bugs” under each sink and near appliances to detect the presence of moisture (they are sensitive). If the water sensor detects moisture it will sound the alarm, notify us and HVM and automatically shut-off our main water line. This is a great defense against frozen pipes that may bust and flood a home in the winter… There is also temperature sensors that can be placed in the home or crawlspace and tied into the same system. We have NEST thermostats in our home and we can remotely monitor the temperatures in the home and control the thermostats via the NEST app as well.

Snowplow Driveways

The curb appeal and access to your home is important to buyers. Having to walk through 2 feet of snow to get to your home is not the best first impression for a buyer. Be sure your driveway gets plowed even when you are not there.

Shovel Walks and Decks

Be sure to contract for shoveling the snow off the walks and decks and patios. Many potential buyers will want to walk out on the deck to see the views and if there is a ton of snow then this is a problem. Adding rock salt to icy areas is a good idea as well.

Shovel Roof

Normal snow years require Crested Butte homes to have the roof shoveled at least once. Heavy snow years will require more shoveling to remove snow and ice from the roof to prevent damage. If a heavy snow year, and you have snow that sheds from the roof in front of windows – having plywood protect the window not great for showing the home – you should consider having this snow cleared as well. You want light to shine in and the views from inside to be seen, and the presentation of your home from the outside to be at its best.

Access to Your Home in the Winter

If you or family or friends or renters are staying in your home when it is listed, be prepared to be flexible for showings. It is customary that showings will be scheduled twenty-four hours in advance, but there are many buyers who at the end of their ski vacation realize their flight does not leave until 3:00pm the next day, and they are not skiing the last day… After a great Crested Butte ski vacation, many consider the option of owning a second home in Crested Butte and if they find the right home – they may decide to buy… Most people find Crested Butte in the Winter – then discover the beauty of the summer as a bonus. Buyers will be sitting around after their last day of skiing and they will say: “Hmmm… what are we going to do tomorrow? Let’s go look at some Crested Butte homes.”

How can I help you?

I have over 30 years of business experience and am a top real estate agent in the mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado representing affluent clients who are buying and selling their homes and properties. To see featured properties or search the MLS – visit chriskopf.com.

Are You Considering Selling or Buying a Home in the Crested Butte Area?

Contact me to help you. I have been in your shoes – as both a Second Home Buyer and Seller here in Crested Butte.

The Crested Butte area offers a wide variety of properties including ski in/ski out single family homes, ski-in/ski-out condominiums, lake and river frontage properties, golf course property, quality homes in Downtown Crested Butte, and true fine mountain homes on acreage.

To see Crested Butte Homes For Sale or search the MLS – visit ChrisKopf.com.

If you considering Selling your Crested Butte home and are interested in finding out what your existing property is worth – call me. How is the Crested Butte Real Estate Market doing?

The Crested Butte Real Estate Market is very active. Click this link to see my monthly Crested Butte Real Estate Market Reports.

I have consistently been a Top Real Estate Agent in Crested Butte, and I appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and be your Crested Butte Real Estate Agent.