No one likes the idea of selling in the winter. You would probably rather be snuggled up under a blanket in front of the fire with a NY Times best selling novel than trying to navigate the colder weather during a move. However, things don’t always go as planned, and if you find yourself in a position of needing to sell your home this winter for whatever reason (or you just don’t want to deal with the competition during the traditional “selling season”), here are a few tips to get your home ready…
1. Boost Your Curb Appeal – embrace cold weather decor by adding cascading pumpkins to your front porch steps or potted fall foliage by the entryway of the home. Highlight your front door with a pop of color and a festive fall/winter wreath. Update your address sign and freshen up your doormat to really impressive visitors and prospective buyers!
Fall decor makes a home feel so warm and reminds us all of the coming holidays, it is a great way to get an emotional connection with potential buyers.
2. Snow Safety – Ensure that the driveway and walkways are free of snow and ice as best you can. This can be cumbersome to keep up on, but is hugely beneficial for those inevitable last minute showings, and for the safety of anyone coming and going from the home. Helpful things to keep on hand are a snow shovel, ice melt (careful not to hurt your concrete), and the number for a neighbor or nearby handyman who can be ready to plow your driveway on short notice.
3. Please Remove Your Shoes – The last thing you want after spending all morning meticulously cleaning your home is for someone to track mud and pine needles all over your freshly mopped floors. Create a practical, but attractive, station at the entrance to your home for people to remove their shoes or put on booties during showings. Your listing agent should provide you with booties, upon request, but if not, you can buy some here. A few other helpful products to consider: Waterproof Tray for Shoes, Please Remove Your Shoes Sign
4. Light It Up – Make sure you have warm and adequate lighting, as winter days are short and bring more hours of darkness. Pay special attention to driveway lights and exterior home lighting – you only get one chance at a first impression!
5. Keep It Cozy – make sure to keep the home at a comfortable temperature at all times, even if it’s vacant. Potential buyers can be easily deterred if they are distracted by how cold the home is during the showing. If you’re going to be nearby around the time of the showing, consider lighting a candle or starting a fire to add to the ambiance. To achieve maximum comfort, stage a few “cozy corners” around the home by adding extra pillows and soft, textured throw blankets.
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