Unfortunately, not everyone will have the luxury of postponing a listing until the Spring or Summer months.  Your winter sellers will need to work with that brown grass, bad weather and shortened daylight hours. 

 

That makes staging, the concept of showing a house at its best, even more important!   

 

During the winter months sellers may need to be willing to put forth a little more effort.  It can be hard to make a house look appealing this time of year.  However, if they do it right, they can make their house stand out.

 

Using a staging service is ideal.  A staging service will do staging job right from the start and in a much quicker time frame than the sellers can typically achieve.

 

Here are some quick tips for selling during the winter months (Your realtor thinks you're special and wants to share!):

 

Keep Snow & Ice Away.  This may be the most important tip yet so pay attention.  If a buyer can't easily get into the house, the house won't sell!  Sellers must make sure they keep all driveways, walkways, and entrances free and clear.

 

Toasty, Cozy and Warm.  Temperature of a home is also vital in getting a buyer.  If a house is too warm or too cold, buyers will want to be in and out as quickly as possible.  Make sure the house is cozy warm for winter showings and open houses.

 

Mmmmm, No Bad Odors Here.  Warm, inviting scents like cinnamon, vanilla, cookies, or even yeast can help buyers make an emotional connection to a house.  Just don't burn candles in every room or use air fresheners; buyers may question what odors the sellers are trying to hide.

 

Natural Light Makes the Nice List.  Do your best to encourage showings during the daylight hours.  Also encourage your sellers to open all blinds and curtains...not to mention a good window washing.  Insist that lights be turned on and suggest use of timers during the night time hours.

 

Focus on Winter Positives.  Is the house on a bus route?  This could be appealing to someone who doesn't like to drive in bad weather.  Is the home near skiing or other outdoor activities?  The positives are there, just may be a little harder to recognize during the winter.

 

Love the Lighting.  Lighting is so important.  Do not allow sellers to have a dark house on the market!  Buyers will drive by at all times of day and you want to ensure they see a welcoming home as they drive by.  Make sure outdoor lighting is on and interior as well.  If sellers can't be home, inexpensive timers will do the trick!

 

Windows to Wonderland.  Buyers should be seeing a winter wonderland through those windows, not grime and dirt.  Make sure all windows are easy to see through and even remove the screens for easy viewing.

 

Season to Sell.  The holidays may be over, but that doesn't mean a seller can't still decorate for the season.  Winter wreaths and neutral decor can warm up a house.  Keep in mind that the view of a house and from a house can be very different during the winter months.  What are buyers seeing now that the leaves have fallen?

 

Toasty, Cozy and Warm Part II.  Encourage those emotional feelings inside a buyer to bubble over.  Make the spaces of the house as cozy and inviting feeling as possible.  Perhaps you fold a comfy looking blanket at the end of the bed or neatly throw a blanket over that favorite chair. 

 

Can't Go Overboard With Cleanliness.  A clean house alone can do wonders.  Don't be afraid to ask buyers to remove shoes or place booties near door to slip over shoes.  This may show buyers that the house has been meticulously maintained.  Plus, a very clean house smells better and shows better!