Selling Your Home in the Winter

Winter presents its own unique set of challenges. It is not the ideal time to put your house on the market if you live where it gets cold and rains or snows. This is primarily because your home will not show as well. However, there are steps you can take to brighten your home and make the showing pleasant and enjoyable for your buyers.

Clear a Path

Continually shovel a path through the snow, especially if snowflakes are still falling. Footprints on freshly fallen snow will turn to ice if the temperature is low enough, so scrape the walk. Sprinkle a layer of sand over the sidewalk and steps to ensure your buyers' stable footing. Remember to open a path from the street to the sidewalk so visitors do not have to climb over snowdrifts. Put a rubber mat by the front door or a container to hold wet umbrellas and shoes.

Let in the Light

Pull up the blinds, open the shutters and push back the drapes on every window. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture. Turn off televisions and computers.

Turn on the Heat

Pump up that thermostat. It is better to heat the house a degree or two warmer than usual and then set the temperature at normal. This prevents the heat from kicking on when the buyer is present, because some HVAC systems are loud. You want the temperature inside to be comfortable and to give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on a cold day. Light the fireplace, but open the damper, place a grate in front of it, but do not leave it unattended for very long.

Create a Mood

Make your living room appear romantic by placing two champagne glasses near a champagne bucket on the coffee table. Toss afghans or throws across the arms of your sofa.

Turn your bathroom into a spa:

Hang plush robes.

Roll up washcloths, tie with a ribbon and place in a basket on the counter.

Set up a grouping of soaps, lotions and shampoo.

Place vases filled with winter flowers around the house.

Set a breakfast tray on the bed containing a coffee cup, saucer, napkin, rolled-up newspaper.

Dress your dining room table for a dinner for two.

Turn on the Music

Turn on soft music; Jazz or classical is soothing. Do not turn on a commercial radio station - set your tunes to random selection so your music will be continuous.

Ease Up on the Scents

Many people are allergic to scents and deodorizers, so do not spray the air or plug-in air fresheners. Do not burn candles or spray perfume in the bedroom for the same reason. If you are going to bake cookies or simmer spices such as cinnamon in water on the stove, put out munchies so buyers are not disappointed. More than one sad buyer has said, "Oh, darn, I thought there were cookies in here!"

Make it Visually Pleasing

Display photographs highlighting your summer flower gardens and lush green lawns. Keep blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery such as a dilapidated fence or a nearby structure that obstructs views.

Make Your House Sparkle

Wash windows, Clean out cobwebs. If necessary, re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks, polish chrome faucets and mirrors, clean out the refrigerator, vacuum daily (If your carpeting is plush, vacuum in one direction), wash and wax floors, dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures, bleach dingy grout and empty trash and recycling bins.

Provide Specific Information

Attach printed cards to items and in rooms that provide further information the buyer might miss or might not know. You have so little time to make an impression. For instance, if you have an antique chandelier in your dining room, put a card on it that discloses its age and other important details. If your basement stairs are steep, attach a card to the railing that cautions buyers to watch their step or their heads. However, take care when placing a card that says: "Not included in the sale." That will make a buyer want it, but you can play that later to your advantage.

Use Timers and Technology to Your Advantage

Plug indoor lamps into a timer to automatically turn on at times buyers will be present.  Consider using motion sensors that will light up in the evening when a buyer approaches your doorstep. If you use an answering machine, turn it off or mute messages.

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  by Jeff Hollansworth

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