Challenges of Winter

Preparing your house for sale. By Jan Leaf, Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty.

Winter presents its own unique set of challenges when it comes to selling your home. It is not the ideal time to put your home on the market if you live where it gets cold and rains or snows, primarily because your home won't show as well. However, there are steps you can take to brighten your home and make the showing pleasant and enjoyable for your buyers. Remember, because of winter’s challenges you will have less competition in the winter months as others are waiting for springtime.

Keep a welcoming path cleared

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 aren't forced to crawl over snowdrifts.

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 on the heat

Pump up that thermostat. It's 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 gas fireplace.

Do a bit of staging

Subtle touches are best such as a throw across the arms of your sofa.

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

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.

Soft music

Turn on soft music. Very soft, in the background. Classical, soft jazz.

Go lightly on the scents

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

Make your house sparkle

Wash windows, clean out the cobwebs, polish the chrome and mirrors.

If necessary, re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks. Bleach dingy grout.

Vacuum daily and mop, empty the trash.

Dust the ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.

Taking these simple steps will give you that edge you need during the cold winter months!

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