6 Tips for Selling Your Home This Winter

This winter season may be the perfect time to list your home for sale. Some shoppers may be motivated to buy before year's end.  Making your home appealing to prospective buyers is key to catching their attention and sealing the deal. Using these six tips to get your home ready for the market and let this winter be a season be your selling success story.

1. Make a Statement With Curb Appeal
   The first thing buyers will see when viewing your home is its exterior. Ensure that your walkway is in good condition and clear of snow, ice, and debris. Tidy up the front porch by replacing old or broken containers and cleaning the windows and doors.
2. Make Your Home More Inviting
   During the colder months, buyers will likely spend more time assessing your home's interior than looking around outside. You'll want to be sure that your house is super clean, giving attention to corners, nooks and crannies and closets. Get rid of the clutter in your home by organizing and neatly storing items you are keeping and disposing of or donating the rest.
3. Focus on Lighting
   Allow natural light to enter your home by keeping your curtains and blinds open when showing your home, and turn on the lights in each room. This simple act allows the buyer to see all that your home has to offer and adds both warmth and depth to your home's interior. Add or update lighting fixtures to highlight the architectural features and decor of your home for a more dramatic effect.
4. Win Them Over With Warmth
   Set the temperature to a comfortable level before showing your house. Selling your home in the winter is much easier if you exhibit an environment that is warm and comfortable for visiting buyers. Be sure to have your heating system serviced and in good operating condition before listing your home. If you have gas logs, turn them on for added warmth and aesthetic appeal.
5. Avoid Added Scents
   Not everyone has the same taste in scents, and some buyers may even be allergic to room sprays, scented candles, and other fragrances. You want your home to smell clean.   Be careful, adding overpowering scents may dissuade some buyers and can even be a distraction in your otherwise beautiful home.
6. Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
   Welcome buyers personally when showing your home and offer them a warm drink such as cider, coffee or tea. Use tasteful and complimentary decor to set a cozy mood in each room, and use small touches such as greenery to welcome potential buyers home.

Set aside some time in your schedule to make your home a winter showcase before listing, and see how much difference these tips can make. 

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