“You can transform a barren winter landscape into a lasting first impression,” says Home and Garden Television’s master gardener Paul James. “You can punch things up a bit and enhance the appeal of your property. As a matter of fact, much of what you can do won’t take more than a weekend and won’t cost you a dime.”
If there is snow on the ground, make sure that the driveway is plowed or shoveled and the walkway is clear. Don’t just clear a narrow trail to the front door. Take the time to shovel the entire width of the walkway. This shows the prospective home buyer that you care about the condition your house is in, and that goes a long way.
A Blessing in Disguise
Snow-lined landscapes can actually be a blessing instead of a curse. If your yard has not had the attention it deserved, it doesn’t matter…because it’s covered up. A roof piled with a few feet of snow makes it hard to do an inspection, but is a good sign that it’s probably a pretty solid roof.
While you’re outdoors, prune away any dead or damaged branches. If conditions allow, sprinkle a fresh layer of mulch around the garden beds and landscaped areas. And when potential buyers come around, you may want to point out the location of dormant bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and trees on your property.
Kitchens Hold the Key
Selling your house in the winter is not the insurmountable task many say it is. But be prepared—during the holiday season there will be some very slow weeks. “From the second week of December through the holidays there was absolutely no one looking at the house. But traffic immediately picked up again the first week in January,” adds Barbara.
While Barbara made sure the outside of her house was neat, she made sure the inside of her house, particularly the kitchen and bathrooms, were spotless. “I followed the guidelines given by my real estate agent and it worked. Sidewalks cleaned, yard raked, and making the kitchen and the bathroom the most appealing rooms in the house,” says Barbara.
Little Things
Finally, since perspective buyers will no doubt go inside your house, mist indoor plants to keep the foliage looking lively, and strategically place a blooming houseplant, such as an African violet or a bouquet of fresh cut flowers on a table or counter.
“I never considered taking my house off the market in the winter months,” says Barbara. “I had more than one offer and sold my house.”