Trying to sell your home in the middle of the winter might sound like a daunting task, even when you have a Realtor marketing your home. We often think our homes won't look as appealing with snow covering the ground, leafless trees accentuating the yard, less daylight, and temperatures so cold buyers don't want to get out of their car! Winter doesn't have to be a bad time to sell a home though. Think positively about the things you can do to make your home stand out from the many others for sale in this time of year. Beat the winter blues with a few easy steps.
First and foremost, make your home easy to enter! Shovel and salt the walk ways after every snow fall. Shovel a path from the driveway to the walk way and front door, and every side door you have, then salt the paths. You don't want a buyer falling down when they're trying to view your home in a positive manner, make sure they come and go remembering pleasant things about your house! With the scarce daylight in the winter, make sure the outside of your home is well lit. This brings a warm, welcoming feel perhaps on a street of dark homes. Let the buyers know what your home looks like in the summer too. Find and set out photos of your home with beautiful landscaping and blooming trees in the sunny summer days.
Keep the inside of your home spotless! Winter is a hard time of the year to keep the outside of your home looking inviting. Make up for this set back by sprucing up the inside. Perhaps it's time to redecorate that home office, or add some nice, neutral curtains in the great room, or paint the kids bedroom a fresh, low key color. Don't let the buyers see any dirt or clutter either, aim for the home to be crisp and clean for every showing, even for the last minute ones.
Since winter can be long and dreary, keep your home as bright as possible. Open those curtains and blinds to let the natural daylight in, but make sure everything is dusted off. Always keep the lights on throughout the whole house for showings, especially since it gets dark by 5:30 in most areas and buyers look after work. For especially dark rooms, place spotlights on the floor to shine up the wall or on a nice picture. Highlight the best features of your home with lights, buyers will be sure to remember how lovely your home is compared to others.
Also, keep your home at a comfortable temperature so it creates a nice, warm atmosphere when stepping in from the cold. If you keep your home too chilly, buyers will relate it to vacant homes that are neglected and cold. While you're at it, set out warm hot chocolate or coffee with some nice background music to set the mood! Think about setting your table placings as well, make the home look like a model. Place fresh, winter flowers in the main rooms for a sweet smell and have the bathrooms staged as well. Don't overcroud, but put clean hand towels out and a few decorations to add a spa-like appeal.
If you find these tips to be helpful, check back often for more useful tips for buying and selling your home!
by Lauren Olson
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