Thinking about selling your home in the Winter? This season presents its own unique set of challenges, with cold temperatures that can prevent would-be homebuyers from leaving the comfort of their own dwellings and bad weather that can wreak havoc on your front lawn. With that said, there are plenty of steps you can take to brighten your home and make the showing pleasant and enjoyable for visitors.
Clear a path
If snow covers the ground, be sure to shovel a path through the snow. Consider scraping the walk as well, as footprints on freshly fallen snow will turn to ice if the temperature is low enough. Be sure to open a path from the street to the sidewalk, so visitors don’t have to crawl over snowdrifts and get their shoes wet.
Potential home buyers will appreciate your attention to detail, which can significantly impact the likelihood of them making an offer. If it’s raining, consider placing a rubber mat by the front door to keep your house dry and clean.
Let in the light
Try to allow as much sunlight into your home as possible. Pull up the blinds, open the shutters, and push back the drapes on every window. If there isn’t enough natural light, turn on appliance and closet lights. You can even brighten dark rooms or one with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind your furniture. Be sure to turn off all televisions, speakers, and computers, as the bright light that they emit can be distracting; after all, you want homebuyers’ eyes on your stunning windows and intricate woodwork, not the TV show you just finished watching.
Turn on the heat
Pump up that thermostat! It’s better to have your house be a degree or two warmer than need be, then reducing the temperature later, than vice versa. On an especially cold day, the warm temperature can serve as an added bonus, giving the buyer an incentive to linger inside your comfortable home. If you have a fireplace, you might want to consider turning it on or building a fire (depending on the type that you own) to provide extra coziness.
Make it visually pleasing
Consider displaying photographs showing fresh summer flower gardens and lush green lawns. Keep blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery. Wash your windows and clean out any and all cobwebs. Polish your chrome faucets and mirrors and vacuum daily. Dust all your furniture and ceiling fans. Clean everything and consider hiring a professional, especially before an open house.
Selling your home in the winter can be difficult, but by taking these steps, the process should be much easier to navigate. Good luck!
Source: The Balance