If you are one of the brave souls looking to sell your home during a Minnesota winter, we commend you. Selling a home is no cake walk as it is, and doing so during our region’s most infamous season adds another challenging layer. All that being said, there are plenty of people who are looking to buy homes this time of year, and they might as well be looking at yours.
While all of the standard house showing and staging rules still apply in the winter, there are additional areas that need to be addressed in order to be successful. Many houses do not look their best under the duress of winter, but we can fix that! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you consider selling your home this winter:
Clear the way.
Nothing will deter potential buyers like an icy sidewalk or snowed-in porch. In addition to keeping your property looking clean and inviting, clearing snow and ice on walkways and points of entry is important for the safety of your visitors as well. Not only should the driveway and sidewalks be clear, but there should also be a cleared path from the street so a potential buyer doesn’t have to trudge through a dirty snow bank. Additionally, it should be easy to get to garages, storage units, basement doors, etc.
A beautiful yet functional entryway.
As the gateway to your home, the entryway is a natural gathering spot, especially during the winter. There ought to be adequate storage and space for potential buyers to hang coats, scarves, and hats, as well as a bench for taking off snowy boots or putting on shoe covers. This is a great opportunity to add stylistic features, such as mirrors or ornate hooks and shelving. Guests will be spending a little extra time in this space as they enter and exit your home, so make it shine as a bookend view of what it has to offer.
There’s no place like home.
Although the winter is considered a slow time of year in real estate, there are some ways it can be played to your advantage. There’s something to be said about creating a cozy, warm, and welcoming space while old man winter storms outside. It points to being truly someone’s home, and hopefully connects to potential buyers as being something they can envision for themselves. When showing a home in the winter, it pays to go the extra mile in creating an inviting atmosphere. Start by taking a moment to walk up to your front door. What do you notice? Is it clean and welcoming or cluttered and deterring? Be sure everything is touched up, beautiful, and functional, including the hardware. If there’s outdoor space, spruce it up with a fire pit, heat lamps, and rustic, seasonal planters. Inside, fill your home with the friendly scent of warm apple cider that visitors can enjoy while being shown the place. If there’s a fireplace, light it up! Also, take advantage of all the lights in your home to show off the space at its best.
At Set To Show, it’s our job and expertise to stage your home to price higher and sell faster. If you need help getting the momentum required to sell your home this winter, give us a call: 952-224-2131.