Getting listings photographed, marketed, and ready to show is challenging at any time of year, but the winter can seem especially difficult.
In much of the country, winter is a drab and dreary season. It’s often marked by bad weather, frigid temperatures, snow, and ice.
While your first priority is to make sure the walk and porch are clear and safe, there’s more to consider as well. How do you make a home look amazing – with excellent curb appeal – when it’s wintertime? Here are a few great ideas.
Take Advantage of Holidays
Tasteful holiday decorations can really make a house look and feel homey. While you may not want an inflatable Rudolph blowing in the wind, a wreath, some colorful lights, and even a stack of firewood give an inviting feel.
Carrying the tasteful holiday décor indoors can make the home inviting and warm, helping give the prospective buyer a sense of happiness and cheer.
Many people have great memories of the holidays. Taking advantage of a nearby holiday can give you excellent curb appeal with little extra effort.
If there is no upcoming holiday, simple tasteful evergreen and other winter decorations can still give a warm cozy effect outside.
Refresh the External Paint
Because winter is often a very bare time, any external flaws in the home become especially noticeable. Old or flaked pain will be extremely obvious when there are no trees, plants, or grass to distract attention from it.
To give the home a clean, crisp feel that mirrors the weather, consider encouraging the homeowners to give the outside a fresh coat of paint. If that isn’t possible, at least touch up the most obvious areas that need attention.
Having a clean, fresh coat of paint can make the home look great even in the dead of winter!
Clean Up Yard Clutter
Normally, when a family lives in a home during the winter, there can be a variety of family toys and other items outside. Sleds, toys, snowblowers, and more can be scattered around the property.
However, when a family is getting ready to move, the rules change. Just like there shouldn’t be a lot of personalization inside, there shouldn’t be any outside either.
Remind homeowners that it’s vital to keep the outside as neutral as possible to maximize winter curb appeal. This doesn’t mean that you can’t make it attractive, but that the look needs to help the buyer feel like it’s already their home.
Use Evergreens and Artificial Shrubs to Add Color
If you are working in an area that doesn’t have a lot of snow, keeping yards clear of leaves and debris is essential. With some work, you can give potential buyers an idea how the area might look in the spring and summer.
In colder areas, work with evergreen potted plants and even artificial shrubs to add color, texture, and interest to the front of the home. Think of it as staging, except outside!
When you add some hardy and colorful elements, they will draw the buyers’ eye. Not only will it look great, but it will help distract from any other less-attractive elements of the house.
Get Your Marketing Ready for Winter!
As we often say, consistency is the only way to keep your momentum going throughout the year. As you continue to build your brand and reputation, don’t forget to showcase those beautiful winter listings.
We can help you with Just Listed and Just Sold postcards that show off your professional winter listing photos. Contact us today!
This post originally shared on PrinterBees' Real Estate Marketing Magazine.
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