Special offer

Selling your Fairfield county, CT house during snowy months

By
Home Stager with Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, 203.807.4040

 

Tonight and tomorrow there is another snow storm in the forecast for our area here in Fairfield county, CT. Right after our last storm I was at a client's house for a home staging consultation and made a few observations, which I thought are important to share with home sellers who live in a snowy area.

  •  Buyers should be directed through the front door, where they get the best first impression of the house (curb appeal as well as entering the house). Therefore, shuffle the snow in front of your house and the walk way to the front door.
  • If the house is located closer to the street and the snow plow pushed the snow to the side of each side of the street, but there is then no longer enough space for any cars to park, make the extra effort to shuffle parking spots. Potential buyers will then be inclined to park in front of the house and take the front entrance.
  • Make sure that the driveway is free of snow, so enough cars can park in your driveway. Once the snow is no longer fresh it gets much harder to remove the snow to accommodate traffic for your Open House visitors.
  • If your driveway is to the side of the house ensure that there is a snow and ice free pathway from there to the front door. Don't lead buyers through the garage and basement into the house just because it is easier. You will loose out on opportunities of a great first impression. Remember, first impressions are formed within the first 10 seconds.
  • Have a door mat on either side of the front door - outside and inside - to get the snow off the visitors' shoes.
  • Clean off the snow from your deck and patio furniture, so buyers and see how large it is and in what condition it is.

Selling a home in snowy conditions

Posted by

About the Author: Birgit Anich is the President and Creative Director of Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors one of the most innovative real estate staging and design firms in Fairfield County, CT. Our distinctive approach is creating a lifestyle experience that sells homes fast and at the maximum price. Birgit’s focus is working with home sellers and their real estate agents to prepare their property to appeal to the most likely buyers. As Certified Advanced Stagers, trained by HGTV star Matthew Finlason, Birgit Anich Staging and Interiors transforms a property into a buyer’s dream using Targeted Lifestyle Marketing Techniques.

Birgit also won the most prestegious awards in the Staging Industry - Regional and National Awards of Rookie Stager of the Year by RESA.

Copyright © 2011 Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, LLC – All Rights Reserved

RESA Rookie Stager  RESA-PRO SAR Advanced Design Specialist

Fairfield County, Connecticut   I    www.BirgitAnich.com   

 

Mary Jo Quay
H360homes.com - Minneapolis, MN
I Move You Home

Would you talk to a couple of REO listing agents please?  Sunday morning I had a showing of a darling home in a good neighborhood that is a REO.  The front door was practically inaccessible because it hasn't been shoveled all season, and there was about 18" of forced clearance to open the front door.

Of course, I slipped on the icey foot prints through deep snow and went face first into a drift. I had a few words for the listing agent.

Jan 11, 2011 03:22 PM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Great advise Birgit - Living in Northern, NJ I know how important your advise is. And we have gotten a lot of snow this year!

Jan 15, 2011 12:28 AM
Barbara Heil-Sonneck
Design2Sell - Atlanta, GA
Home Staging Atlanta

Happy New Year Birgit and a successfull 2011!

Jan 15, 2011 04:54 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Birgit- good post and not something we in South Florida have to worry about... thank goodness.  Good point about not directing your buyers through the garage or basement to view the house.  What a first image that would be!

Jan 15, 2011 01:52 PM