The winter months don’t have to be a deterrent for you to sell your home. After all, any buyer who is willing to go house hunting despite the lower inventories and colder weather is probably a serious prospect. The key is to market your home strategically, including how you present the home for showing. How do you stage your house in winter to be most appealing to buyers?
There are many ways to put your home in the best light, but the season itself gives you a hint: Try to make the house look welcome and inviting — a place the buyer would enjoy coming home to on a cold winter’s night. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Decorate Seasonally, but Tastefully
The holidays welcome certain types of accents and decorations, and adding them to your home staging is entirely appropriate. In fact, not having a few reminders of the season may convey the idea that your home is vacant and empty, and that is something you don’t want. Just lean toward tasteful and understated rather than bold. A wreath on the door, garland on the mantle or staircase or a few strands of holiday lights can all add a bit of warmth. Inflatables and synchronized lighting could have the opposite effect, so leave those packed away for now. And don’t forget to put the decorations away after the holidays to keep the staging current.
Keep the Thermostat Up
Your home’s internal temperature is part of the staging, and in cold weather a warm home can really add to its appeal. Keep the thermostat at or just above 70 degrees Fahrenheit so visitors can feel the warmth without getting too toasty.
Lighting, Lighting, Lighting
In winter time when days grow short, light is one of your most important allies. Make sure your windows are sparkling clean inside and out, and throw open all the drapes and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Set the lights in your home on timers to turn on automatically in the evenings — including your outdoor lights, so people coming for evening showings can see a clear path to the door.
Add Cozy Accents
Here’s where you can get creative: Look for ways to add subtle accents to make your home staging look as cozy as possible. If you have a gas fireplace, leave it on for viewings and perhaps stage a cozy nook with the furniture surrounding it. Lay out a few neatly folded or draped throws on sofas and chairs.
Put Away the Draft Stoppers
A little tip on what not to use for staging — if you use draft stoppers around window sills or doors, put them away, no matter how cute they are, and turn the thermostat up a couple of degrees. Draft stoppers may keep the home cozy temperature-wise, but they also suggest to your buyer that the home is drafty.
Don’t Forget Curb Appeal
Finally, remember that in winter time, Mother Nature isn’t helping your curb appeal — so do what you can to make the outside as welcoming as possible. Keep hedges trimmed, keep the yard and driveway free of leaves and debris, and in the rare event of snow or ice, make sure to clear a safe walking path to the door. Consider repainting the front door or trim in bright, warm colors to combat the dullness.
With the right winter staging, you can make your home practically irresistible to home buyers this season. For more ideas about how to stage your house in winter, call the agents at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 404.948.4812.