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. 

• Simple Daily Habits to Maintain a Cleaner Home
• Don't Let Winter Win: How to Freeze-Proof Your Garage
• How to Extend the Life of Your Water Heater
• Winterproofing Windows and Doors: A Guide to Keeping the Cold Out
• How to Future-Proof Your Home for Changing Needs
• Home Happiness 101: Small Upgrades That Can Make Every Day Feel Better
• Fall Cleaning Tips For Decluttering Before the Holidays
• How to Create a Cozy Fall Retreat in Your Backyard
• Why Fall is Prime Time for Window Replacement
• Tips for Transitioning Your Closet From Summer to Fall

• Why September Is the Best Month to Paint Your Home's Exterior
• End-of-Summer Pool Closing Tips

• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment
• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment
• How to Research Crime and Safety
• What Buyers Need to Know About Home Warranties
• Browsing for Homes Online? Follow These Shopping Tips
• How to Look Past Bad Staging
• What Happens If Interest Rates Change After You Buy?
• How to Compare Two Homes You Love
• Post-Holiday Finances: How to Reset Your Budget for Home Buying
• New Year, New Home: How to Set Smart Home-Buying Goals for the Year Ahead

• Looking Beyond Closets: How to Evaluate a Home's Storage Potential
• Time-Off Tips: Using Your Holiday Break for Real Estate Decision-Making

• What Buyers Notice First in Listing Photos
• How Spring Sellers Can Enter The Market With Confidence
• Tax Considerations Home Sellers Should Know About
• The One-Room-at-a-Time Spring Prep Strategy
• What's the Difference Between Listing a Home and Marketing It?
• How to Respond to Buyer Feedback Without Panicking
• Transparency Builds Trust: Why Honesty Sells Homes Faster
• Winter Selling Myths That Shouldn't Keep You From Listing
• The Value of Local Market Knowledge When Selling Your Home
• Selling in Snowy Conditions: Safety, Access, and Presentation Tips

• Making Your Home Smell Like Home: Winter Scents That Attract Buyers
• Handling Relocation Buyers During the Holidays