With spring still a few months away, sellers could benefit from making sure their home is in top showing shape this winter. Here are a few tips for the colder, darker days of the year:
1. Keep it comfortable. Aside from some nice warmer days, most buyers this time of year wear heavier clothing yet won't usually take off their coat when going from home to home. Keep the heat in mid-60s so they don't feel roasted out of your home. The goal is to get them to stay longer in your home and feel comfortable there.
2. Make it bright. With less hours of sunlight now and overall more cloudy days, make sure all the lights in your home are on. Don't overlook burned out bulbs and keep blinds open during the day. No one's first impression should be dark and dreary.
3. Air it out. Since homes are closed up throughout the winter there's less fresh air circulating. Avoid any unpleasant odors from pets, cooking, trash, etc. by airing out your home periodically. Don't rely on fragrances as those won't get rid of the odors.
4. Clear the area. Keep the sidewalk, driveway, and walkway snow and ice free as best you can. The easier your home is to access, the better.
5. Avoid winter clutter. Boots, coats, hats, and gloves all take up a lot of space. Potential buyers will be opening closet doors so avoid stuffing closets to the brim by storing non-winter clothing in under-bed storage bins or somewhere else out of sight. A packed closet looks small no matter how big it really is. Also, keep holiday decorations at bay; they shouldn't hinder people easily moving about your home.
6. Be flexible with showings. Often, the weekends are the easiest time for buyers to go on showings. You'll ideally want your home shown when it is still light out so be flexible as to when your potential buyer can view your home.
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