By: John Jennings, III BRE#01982171
Your home doesn’t appear as colorful and inviting as it did in spring. Springtime flowers are deceased. Trees have dropped their leaves, and the grass is struggling. Presenting a home for sale in winter can be challenging. Here are some ways to make your home more inviting and potentially increase its value.
Exterior:
Before you list the home, it is imperative that all leaves are raked, gutters are clean, the grass is mowed, and cement is washed free of muddy boot and paw prints. If you know months in advance that you are going to sell the home, it is a good idea to get pictures of the house in spring while the yard looks its best. This way, when buyers tour the home during winter, it is easy for them to envision what it would look like in a different season.
Regardless of the time of year, do what you can to enhance the curb appeal of the home. One action that can be taken is to hang Christmas lights. The lights will brighten the appearance of the house and make it stand out in the buyer’s mind. Another option would be to display winter potted plants. The potted blue spruce (think Charlie’s tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas) is an iconic choice. The boxwood hedge can add elegance and charm to the front porch. As a final touch, hang a cheery wreath on the front door.
Interior:
When staging the interior of the home, the goal is to match the season. Set a small pile of wood next to a roaring fireplace (if it is a burn day). Lay a folded throw blanket on the couch and a folded quilt at the foot of the master bed. The heater should be on and the home at a comfortable temperature. Clean the windows to allow more natural lighting into the home. If it is dark, have every single light on inside the house. On a gloomy winter evening, you want your house to appear bright and inviting.
The holiday season can fill a home with friends and family, so be sure to highlight the entertaining aspects of the house. Have the dinner table set and place a tray filled with cookies in the kitchen. If the cookies are freshly baked, their fragrance will add to the home’s appeal.
Preparing a home to be shown in winter can be a bit of a challenge, but it can also be a great deal of fun. A well staged home can help the home sell quickly and for more money. What better way to start off the new year than with your home under contract to be sold.
John Jennings, III is a licensed Realtor® who works for Mid State Realty in Coalinga, CA. John can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and (559) 970-4312.
