5 Ways To Prepare Your Home for the Winter Real Estate Market
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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Listing your home for sale during the winter months might seem challenging. After all, unpleasant weather can make showing your home a drag, and the holiday season can distract a lot of buyers.
However, for the buyers that do show up, you’ll want to make sure everything is as it should be. Here’s how to prepare your home for the winter real estate market.
Consider a Home Energy Assessment
Barry Richards, a real estate broker in Tennessee, also licensed in Kentucky, recommends starting with a home energy assessment.
“Making improvements based on an energy assessment can help in two ways: making sure your home is free of cold drafts, and improving energy efficiency, thus lowering energy costs,” said Richards. “A document of the improvements can be shared with prospective buyers. If you choose to have a professional home energy audit conducted, 30% of the cost (up to $150) can be used as a tax credit.”
Complete Winter Maintenance Tasks
Angelica Ferguson VonDrak, associate real estate broker at Sotheby’s International Realty, said that winter buyers appreciate a well-maintained home, especially when it comes to systems that handle the cold.
“First, make sure your heating system is in top shape,” she recommended. “You don’t want buyers questioning if they’ll be warm and cozy in the home. If you have a fireplace (gas or wood-burning) have it serviced and ready to go. This adds a huge cozy factor during showings. Also, check windows and doors for drafts. A home that feels well-insulated immediately translates into energy savings for buyers, which is a major bonus.”
Take Steps To Enhance Curb Appeal
VonDrak said that while curb appeal might seem tricky in the winter, a few touches can make a big difference.
“Keep the driveway, walkways and any outdoor paths clear of snow and ice; this isn’t just about aesthetics, but safety as well,” she said. “A freshly shoveled path can also make the home feel ‘ready’ and well-maintained, which is what winter buyers want to see.”
VonDrak also recommended using seasonal planters as a great way to add life to your winter curb appeal. “Arrange a few large planters by the entryway filled with hardy evergreens like boxwood, juniper or holly,” she suggested.
“Also, don’t forget the front door itself,” she said. “If it’s looking a bit weathered, a fresh coat of paint in a rich color can really stand out against a winter backdrop. Updating the door’s hardware also adds to that fresh look and gives a great first impression.”
Update Exterior Lighting
Mark Slade, realtor with Keller Williams Midtown Direct Realty, suggested making sure your exterior lighting is enhanced with fresh and brighter bulbs.
“Adding some exterior spot lights that are solar-powered are the easiest to install and can light up your home to give it a warm ‘highlighted’ appeal to people driving by or showing up for an evening showing,” he explained.
Add Warmth and Ambiance to Interior Spaces
VonDrak said that the main goal in winter is to create an atmosphere that feels warm, cozy and welcoming.
“If possible, keep the thermostat a little warmer than usual during showings so buyers don’t feel chilly upon entering,” she said. “Also, if you have a fireplace or woodstove, definitely have it on during showings. It adds so much ambiance and really makes people want to stay a while.”
Holly Martins, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, suggested swapping out interior daylight and cold-toned light bulbs for warm-toned ones.
“Feel free to add warm textures (think cozy throw blankets, fluffy pillows, thick rugs),” she added. “If your house has cool tones in it, cozy them up with warm neutral colors as accents. Finally, a little fragrance is okay, but don’t make it overwhelming; we find that homes with too much scent are actually harder to sell because it’s a distraction.”
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