The decision has been made. You’re going to list your house for sale during the winter months. Now, before you start taking photographs and choosing the best shots for the online listing, you’ve got some work to do to optimally stage your home in the winter.
Staging your home in the winter is especially not a task that you can complete quickly. That’s if you want to garner the attention your property deserves; and, of course, if you want a better chance to receive maximum value for your home.
Staging Your Home in the Winter
- Create Coziness
- Seasonal Advantages
- Energy Saving Features
- Stimulate the Senses
- The Outside
- The Rest
Create Coziness
Use the colder temperatures to your advantage. When people are cold, they seek comfort and cozy climes. When prospective buyers visit your home, you want them to feel like it’s a place that they can enjoy and feel safe when it’s blustery outside.
Update or modify your lighting to create a warm feel. Ensure that there are some carpets in the common areas. Take out your coffee machine and set up a self-serve station for guests to have access to a warm, soothing beverage like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Add some cookies or chocolates for an extra touch.
If you have a working fireplace and a clear chimney, or a natural gas version, keep them lit and well-kept during visits. A small pile of freshly chopped wood doesn’t hurt either!
Seasonal Advantages
Does your home have a cozy reading space or nook? A rec room for games on cold winter nights? Is your heating system top-notch and efficient? If there are any seasonal features, ensure that they are highlighted during open houses and visits. Even a mudroom where winter jackets and boots can be stored is an amenity that you should show off.
Energy Saving Features
In addition to an energy-efficient furnace, ensure that any window upgrades, insulation updates, or other energy-saving information are available to potential buyers.
Stimulate the Senses
Further the feeling of comfort and winter by introducing seasonal smells like cinnamon and vanilla. Add some soft music like jazz or piano-based tunes to improve the ambiance. Just be certain to keep the aromas and music subtle, not to overwhelm.
The Outside
Attend to these areas of your property before opening your home to potential buyers:
- Shovel your driveway, decks, and any pathways on your property.
- If any leaves remain visible, rake them up and dispose of them.
- Pick up pet droppings and any garbage that may have blown into your front and back yards.
- Ensure that your shovels, brooms, and salt/sandbags/containers are stored away neatly in the garage or shed.
- Tidy any furniture or planters and remove any excess pieces, storing them neatly.
- If there are any areas in the backyard for congregating, highlight them for staging purposes. That could be a few small chairs around a firepit or inside a gazebo.
- Adding fall and winter colours can also be attractive to those touring your home. If there is a covered space with furniture, use seasonal cushions, blankets, and accents to increase the inviting, comforting appeal. Even an outdoor carpet can brighten the darker winter months.
- Plants and lights: Placing winter greenery in corners and near entryways can improve appeal and contentment. What about a string of lights around the patio? It’s all about creating a welcoming and warm feel to your backyard to negate the cold winter influence.
Addressing these areas may take some time and effort, but the results will certainly be noticeable. You might not realize how much of a difference these small upgrades can make until you make them and see them for yourself!
Are you ready to move to the next stage? Let’s chat. Send me an email (hillary@hillarylane.ca) or text/phone (416-882-4707).
Photo by Tracy Adams on Unsplash
