The weather outside may be a bit frightful, but it’s not so bad that folks aren’t out shopping for homes. And, selling a home in winter is a brilliant idea.
Surprised?
Studies show that homes are far more likely to sell within six months than during any other season.
Of course, we want yours to sell a lot quicker than that, so let’s take a look at some ways to entice those chilly homebuyers out of the nice, warm car and into your home.
Clear the way
A huge pile of snow between the curb and the home isn’t a way to invite people to look closer at the home. It’s not safe, either.
Ensure that the access to the home, whether it’s via the driveway or a walkway, is clear of ice, snow and debris.
Sal Vaglica of This Old House magazine suggests spraying the areas with a liquid magnesium chloride blend before it snows. This, he claims, will “keep ice from bonding to hard surfaces.”
Use 1 gallon of the solution per 1,000 square feet to be treated.
Make the front door pop
In snowy areas, a jolt of color is unexpected and charming. Slap some color on the front door, via semi-gloss exterior paint.
Don’t be shy here – choose a bold but deep color, such as charcoal gray or black. Zillow’s 2018 Paint Color Analysis studies show that homes with black front doors sold, on average, for nearly 3 percent more than homes without black front doors.
“For a seller, painting a front door is one the least expensive home prep projects, but also one that can have a powerful impact on a home’s sale price,” according to Zillow home design expert Kerrie Kelly.
Anything you can do to add color to the home’s exterior will boost its appeal and the perfect
Don’t stop with paint
How about some new hardware to further jazz up that newly-painted front door? Consider a striking new door handle.
Then, take a look at what surrounds the door and update those items as well. For instance, consider larger, bolder house numbers, a new porch light cover and mailbox.
Gardening, in winter?
If there’s snow, there really isn’t much you can do to spruce up the landscaping. What you can do is tidy it up by removing broken limbs and debris.
Consider adding some potted plants along the walkway or on the porch. Use colorful planting pots and some bold winter-hardy plants. Get ideas on what to plant, here.
Other curb appeal-boosting options to consider:’
- Twinkle lights in the trees
- Winter wreath on the door
- Buy a new doormat
- Line the walkway with luminaries (get DIY instructions at APieceofRainbow.com and TripSavvy.com), or buy them ready-made at Amazon.com, HomeDepot.com and Wayfair.com.
