You might believe that the exterior of your home may not show as well in winter as it does in all its summer glory, but there are many ways to make your home shine if you’re selling it during the coldest months.
There are some advantages to selling a home during what are generally the more quiet months when it comes to real estate. Number one is that there’s less competition, so you as a seller have the full attention of any buyers looking for a home in your neighbourhood. With less options to choose from, your home will be at the top of everyone’s wish list, particularly if it stands out from any other homes selling in your area.
Here are some tips to help you dress up your home so that it shows at its best.
Give it a glow up
One advantage of showing a home during winter is the holiday season. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa (or all three!), done well, festive lighting on the outside of your home can set it apart. This extra lighting is especially beneficial if you own an older home that generally doesn’t have all the extra lighting that newer homes often come with.
In winter, it’s more likely that showings are going to happen when the sun has already set. To prevent your home from looking dark and uninviting when prospective buyers drive up, always turn on all your interior lights. If you don’t have a lot of exterior lighting, adding a string of festive lights across the front will do the trick. If you can, add them around the back as well to help illuminate the backyard space. Nothing flashy or multi-colour, however, because the goal is to enhance and illuminate your facade, not distract from it. A simple lighted garland and/or wreath on the front door is a lovely touch. Solar-powered lights lining your front walk are also a nice touch. If you have a fantastic tree or landscaping in your yard, use strategic spotlights to illuminate these features, too.
Maintain a picture-perfect exterior
Even before a buyer gets out of the car, they’re sizing up your home. Hopefully you noticed that peeling paint trim and touched it up in the fall before it got too cold to do so. Ditto on the fence repairs. If not, there are a few ways to make your house present well.
Topping the list is making sure you clear away any dead branches and leaves that may be sticking out of your eavestroughs. If you’re hanging up lights, you can do both at the same time.
On the ground, cut away any wayward branches that might impede the sidewalk or driveway, and clear out the dead, wilted plants from the beds if the snow hasn’t covered them up. And if you have a pet, be diligent about cleaning up its droppings and that yellow snow it leaves behind if it has free run of the yard.
The most important thing to do during colder weather is keep the snow and ice from building up on your windowsills, sidewalks and driveway. Shovel and de-ice every day as needed, even if a showing isn’t scheduled so you don’t get a lumpy, dangerous build-up. Even if there’s only a light dusting of snow, sweep it off your steps and walkways. Remember to clear a path to the garden shed or garage if it’s detached because buyer’s will want to look inside. Do the same with your patio or deck. Keeping everything free of snow and ice build-up communicates that a house is well cared for. It’s also much safer for anyone visiting your home.
Create an inviting entry tableau
If you have space on your front step, set out a pot with some pine greenery and lights to create a focal point. If you have a larger porch or veranda, a rocking chair with a fuzzy blanket and a little table with a lantern on it will draw a buyer in with its rustic charm. Don’t forget the welcome mat! Do the same in the backyard. Add a few chairs with blankets around your firepit if you have one, or set out a small pine with lights on it to help illuminate the space. Buyers will immediately want to see more, so make sure that when they step inside your home they’re greeted by an equally charming vibe.
If you have a tiny entrance, an interesting rug and a nice picture will do the trick. If it’s larger, a bench with a few baskets underneath and set with a little potted pine and a pair of mittens will show buyers the potential of the space. Again, don’t underestimate the right rug and picture to finish it up. If you don’t have a closet at your front entrance, a coat rack or a few strategic hooks will do. But remember not to overload either with bulky jackets. Hanging a single scarf to match the colour scheme of the entryway is enough to give the impression of usable space.
Inside is where the real magic happens
First impressions are important, but they aren’t everything. What the interior of your home communicates to a potential buyer is critical.
First and foremost, keep your home spotless. Even if it needs repainting and a few minor repairs, if it’s clean and smells fresh, a buyer won’t be turned off. If it’s a newer home, there isn’t much you need to do to enhance it, but even an older home with a kitchen and bathroom that need upgrading will look so much better if everything sparkles.
A lot of extra clothes and boots come out in winter, but keep this all tucked out of sight. This goes for any day-to-day clutter that may accumulate throughout your home. Before a showing, take a quick walk-through and imagine yourself seeing your home for the first time. Put any clutter into a box as you pass through each room and toss it in the car with you when you leave. And yes, it’s best to leave the house when it’s being shown. This allow potential buyers to linger and start to bond with each living space, instead of passing through in an awkward rush.
One way to show off your home is by enhancing the decor. Adding a small seasonal touch to each room that coordinates with the whole picture is a nice way to add coziness and help the buyer picture how they might live there. You want buyers to feel like sitting down in that armchair with the faux fur blanket and imagine reading a book, or taking a long soak in the tub with the flickering candles on the vanity.
Adding extra lighting or LED candles to dark corners, a decorative cushion and throw to the couch and bed in similar colours, adding a holiday theme hand towel in the kitchen and bathroom, and swapping out your summery pictures for more seasonal images all help make your house feel like a home and allow buyers to imagine themselves creating new memories there.
If you’re still planning holiday celebrations while your home is on the market, it’s best to avoid flashing lights and large decorations that could shrink the size of your space. If you normally fill your family room with a huge live spruce, consider using a smaller-scale artificial tree so you don’t trigger potential allergies in buyers while also helping to make the room look larger. If you have precious heirlooms that you set out each year, consider keeping them packed safely away from curious hands, just for one season.
Add thoughtful finishing touches
Keep your home at a comfortable temperature, not too hot and not too chilly. Remember that buyers will be walking around your home with their winter coats on, but they’ll also be removing their boots.
It never hurts to leave out treats, especially around the holidays. This can be a simple bowl of candy canes or chocolates, or your freshly-baked gingerbread cookies left out on the kitchen island or table.
If possible, show photos from summer in your listing because the more guesswork you take out of the process of selling, the more a buyer can make an informed decision they feel comfortable with.
If you’re thinking of selling, get in touch with a professional REALTOR® who can share even more tips about selling a home in winter and over the holidays.