Showing your for-sale home during the less-saturated winter season gives you an advantage, but that doesn’t mean you can slack on the details. Winter buyers brave frigid temperatures, heavy snow, and dangerous roadways to view your home, so it’s essential to make sure your presentation is worth their time and effort. At Home Avenue, we’re dedicated to helping you get the most out of your home sale, and we love nothing more than to see you succeed. So, to help you dress your home to impress, we’ve compiled this list of 10 tips to get you started.

First Impressions Are Everything

When buyers pull up to view your home, the first thing they see its exterior. Since first impressions are everything, you’ll need to make sure every last detail is set to impress. Here’s what you can do to make your property stand out:

• Never force potential buyers to trudge through inches of snow to get to your front door! Not only is it inconsiderate, but it can also give viewers a negative impression about how well you’ve maintained the property. Prior to each showing, make sure you shovel the driveway, walkways, front porch, back deck, and any other areas potential buyers may view.
• Seasonal plants. Nothing says welcoming and well-cared-for like thoughtful touches placed around your home. Consider adding seasonal plants like spruce or evergreen to your front porch or around your front entry door. Wreaths also add a welcoming, homey touch that can stir cozy thoughts in the minds of potential buyers.
• Outdoor lighting. If you have outdoor lighting, integrating lighting timers will ensure potential buyers don’t arrive at a dark, unwelcoming property. Soft outdoor lighting sets a great first impression and makes your property appear more inviting and cozy.

Turn Up the Heat

Keeping your home at a comfortable, cozy temperature can encourage potential buyers to linger, especially when outdoor temperatures dip below freezing. Here’s what you can do to get viewers to spend more time contemplating your space:

• Heat up. Keep the heat at 70 degrees, or perhaps a bit warmer if you don’t mind a few weeks of increased energy costs. You want your guests to feel the welcoming nature of your home, and the right temperature can make all the difference.
• If you have a fireplace, it can be a huge selling point for winter home buyers. Not only does a fireplace create a warm, inviting ambiance, but it also stirs thoughts of reduced heating costs. Since wood-burning fireplaces can cut winter energy costs by hundreds—even thousands—of dollars annually, make sure you showcase this feature to potential buyers.
• Use the oven. It may sound cliché, but the smell of fresh baked goods can really make a house feel like home. Don’t go nuts and bake a casserole or something super fragrant, just toss some cookies or bread in the oven for that subtle, fresh-baked, home-for-the-holidays scent. This is optional, so don’t feel like you need to bake something before every guest arrives.

Light it Up

Natural light is in short supply during the dreary, overcast winter months, so you’ll need to make an extra effort to make your home appear light, airy, roomy, and welcoming. Here’s what you can do to achieve that:

• Natural lighting. Open the drapes! Clean every window before guests arrive so that light can filter in unimpeded. You should also consider using lighter-colored drapes to enhance each room’s natural lighting.
• Outdoor lighting. If it’s nearing Christmas and you love decorative outdoor lighting, go ahead and hang those lights! Potential buyers want to imagine what living in the home might feel like, so the more welcoming and cozy you make your property appear, the easier they can envision living there.
• Keep the lights on. Make sure every light in your home is on during each showing. It doesn’t matter whether it’s day or night; keep the lights on. A well-lit home is welcoming and presents each room in the best possible light. Leaving lights off can make guests feel as though you might be attempting to hide something—a huge mistake when you’re trying to impress.

Showcase Winter-Ready Features

Did you just replace your roof to better handle snow accumulation? Or is your driveway specifically designed to make snow removal as painless as possible? Is your property designed to facilitate water drainage as the snow melts? Make sure you mention these winter-specific features to potential buyers. These thoughtful and functional design details are attractive, but sometimes, they’re difficult to spot unless you draw attention to them.

Selling Your Home? Save on Commissions With Home Avenue

At Home Avenue, we know realtor commissions can be alarmingly high—that’s why we’re different. Our flat-fee realty services save home sellers an average of $9,800, so if you’re looking to hang on to more of your hard-earned cash, we’ll help you do it. You still get the same level of service and exposure as commission-based realty, just without the exorbitant costs. For more information on our flat-fee realty services or to schedule your meeting, feel free to call us at 952-929-7355, or if you prefer, send us a message on our contact page.