Selling your home in the winter can be a great time to showcase its coziness, but it also requires a little extra preparation and effort. Despite all of the magic of the season, the shortened, drearier days and poor weather make for less favorable showing conditions. Therefore, home sellers need to be vigilant in ensuring their home is welcoming and comfortable for prospective buyers. Focus on these areas so that buyers can safely access and envision themselves snuggled up in the home on a cold, snowy day.
shovel driveways and walkways
If we took a poll on the worst things about winter, shoveling snow would probably be at the top of that list. Nonetheless, it’s a crucial precaution before home viewings. If a buyer’s initial experience when arriving at your home entails a daunting, slippery trek, that’s not going to make for a positive first impression. Stock up on salt, keep the shovel handy, and consider investing in a snowblower. It’s also a good idea to place the lockbox in a convenient location. Choose a door close to the driveway or under a covered area, if you have one. Easy access is the first step in building optimism.
stock up on doormats
Make sure you have plenty of doormats at exterior doors and in entryways. Buyers will need a place to stomp off their boots and remove them once inside, otherwise you’ll be dealing with a consistently wet, messy foyer. You might want to opt for a large, washable rug to protect your floors from multiple guests entering together. If you have room to add a bench or some sort of seating near the door, this is a nice touch to make shoe removal easier.
maintain a comfortable temperature
This one requires less thought if you’re occupying the home during the sale, but it’s still something to consider. Maybe you’re the type who keeps the thermostat low to save on utilities. Maybe you’re the opposite and turn your home into a sauna in the winter. If the property you’re selling is vacant, you might err on the lower side since no one is living there.
We all have different preferences so your home won’t be the perfect temp for everyone, but you can make a valiant effort. According to experts, 68 degrees Fahrenheit is considered to be the most comfortable indoor temperature during the day. It is also the Energy Star recommendation to combat heat loss without overheating your home.
neutral holiday decor
The holidays are an especially nostalgic time of year and many of us have traditions centered around decorating. However, when selling, it’s crucial that your decor doesn’t shift focus away from the house itself.
If at all possible, we recommend waiting to decorate until after the listing photos are taken. Your furniture layout might change when the tree goes up, or all of the trinkets on end tables and mantles could look cluttered in photos. The last thing you want is for your home to look cramped. Also, if your home sits on the market for a while, having holiday decor in listing photos past the season is not a good look.
Your home can be decorated during showings, but you still want to keep it minimal and neutral. Don’t put up large interior decorations that block the flow of traffic or a buyer’s ability to see every part of the house. Consider opting for a nature-inspired winter theme with pinecones, twigs, and garland. Stick with simplicity and fight the urge to turn your house into an overwhelming North Pole.
make it merry & bright
Winter’s lack of sunlight is a real mood killer. Light is a major factor in creating ambiance, so you have to do your best to set the stage properly. Do an assessment of your windows before listing. Removing screens will let in more natural light, plus it will be easier to clean dirty windows. Keep curtains and blinds open during showings. Use warm white light bulbs for an inviting atmosphere that contrasts the bleakness outside. Add lamps or battery-operated candles to dimly lit areas of the home. You can also purchase smart bulbs and outlets in order to control the lighting when you’re away.
a heartwarming focal point
If you have a fireplace, now is the time to accentuate this cozy feature. We certainly would never recommend leaving a fire unattended, but you can do other things to show off the hearth of the home. Make sure it’s well-lit with sconces, recessed lighting, or battery lights. Position furniture toward the fireplace. Make it feel more homey with bundles of firewood neatly displayed. Upgrade your artwork with a large piece over the mantel that ties in with the rest of the room’s color scheme. Avoid cluttering the mantel and keep family photos to a minimum. You want it to be a space that draws buyers in and allows them to imagine their own life in the home.
Selling during the holidays can be a bit hectic, but with some forethought and attention to detail, your home will be the shiny gift that buyers can’t wait to unwrap. Happy holidays and happy home selling!