Winter Staging Tips

You don’t have to wait for spring to put your home on the market! Winter can be a great time to sell, as buyers are more serious, and you’ll probably have less competition from other sellers. Still, it’s crucial to give your home an aesthetic advantage with staging and curb appeal. These staging tips will help you banish the cold weather blues of winter selling. 

Inside

Clean Sweep

Before you even get listing photos taken or start holding open houses, give your whole home a deep clean. A visibly dirty home will turn off buyers and make it seem like the house isn’t being maintained. Get rid of clutter that takes up space and distracts the eye. Store sentimental items like family photos or your child’s art out of sight, too. These steps are needed so that buyers can imagine living in your house. A clean and neat home is the first step to making a good impression.

Create Coziness

Creating a cozy atmosphere through staging is important year-round, but it’s essential when selling in the winter. The last thing you want is for buyers to think your home is drafty and cold—turn up the heat (literally) when staging it. For open house events, raise your thermostat thirty minutes before starting. Does your home have a fireplace? Light it up for extra warmth and a glowing ambience. Letting lots of natural light into your home is a no-brainer, but there’s less sunlight during the winter months. Illuminate your home by turning on all the lights. Adding a few throw pillows and a knit blanket over a sofa or bed will make your living areas feel more snug. Consider lighting a candle or scent diffuser to gently perfume your home during showings.

Seasonal Decor 

Incorporating seasonality into your staging can make your home feel more attractive and festive! Adding nature-inspired elements like pine boughs, pinecones, or an amaryllis plant will give your home wintery vibes. Remember that decor should be used in moderation to enhance your home rather than detract from it. Skip putting out religious holiday decorations or very sentimental items, as you don’t want your home to feel too personalized.

Outside 

Curb Appeal 

Maybe you don’t have to worry about mowing your lawn in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about creating curb appeal! Consider repainting your front door for a cheery pop of color, then hang a welcoming wreath on it. Plant some winter hardy plants (such as pansies, violas, and hellebores) in a container and place by your front door or mailbox to brighten the winter landscape. Tidy up your property by removing yard waste, trimming overgrown branches, and cleaning out the gutter. Dirt and grime may have built up on your windows during fall; take time to clean them. During open houses, provide photos of what your yard looks like in the warmer months. 

Decorations

If you’re showing your home during the holiday season, keep any outdoor decorations simple and nonreligious. Having many lighted features on your house and on the lawn can make your yard look cluttered and tacky. Just like indoor staging, outdoor staging should accentuate your home and appeal to a broad range of buyers. If you really want to put up some holiday decorations, stick to using white lights on select areas or some evergreen accents.

Clear the Way

Many people can appreciate how picturesque a snow-covered home looks, but it’s a different story when you’re trying to sell it. Keep your driveway, walkway and front stoop clear of snow and ice. Before an open house, sprinkle ice melt over crucial areas before people show up. Snow-free pathways will also look better in listing photos since nothing will be hidden under a blanket of white. Put a doormat on the inside of the entrance so guests can wipe their shoes when it’s snowing or raining. 

Selling your home in winter comes with a unique set of challenges, just like at any other time of the year. It’s important to make your winter staging preparations work with the season, not against it. By emphasizing a warm atmosphere, buyers will feel like they can enjoy your home even after winter passes.

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