Your Winter Open House
If you’re selling your home, a winter open house may seem daunting. It’s cold and dark, and your yard isn’t looking anywhere near its summer best. But people still buy homes regardless of the temperature outside, and open houses are still a good way to get prospective buyers into your house. We have some tips to make your winter open house a success.
1. Shovel and de-ice.
You want all sidewalks, driveways and walkways to be clear of snow and ice, so take the time to groom them. Shovel and scrape and pile any snow off to the side as neatly as possible. Not only do you want people to be able to easily navigate your outdoor areas, but you also want them to realize that you take care of your home.
2. Turn on the lights.
The days are short and what little sunlight we have is dim. No matter how many windows your home has, chances are it’s a little dark during winter. You don’t want prospective buyers to feel like they’re touring a cave. Turn on all the lights and open all the curtains and shades. You want your home to be an oasis of brightness during the dark season.
3. Turn up the heat.
Your winter open house is not the time to practice saving energy. You want attendees to be warm and comfortable. If you keep your house on the cool side, bump up the thermostat a bit so your home feels cozy. Not too much, though — you don’t want anyone to feel like they’re in a sauna.
4. Provide extras.
Have lots of door mats available for people to wipe their feet. You can ask people to take off their shoes. You also can have a basket of shoe covers (like these) by the door so anyone who wears shoes won’t track mud and slush on your clean carpets. Have some coat racks available for people who want to take off their jackets. You also can warm up the atmosphere by having hot coffee, hot chocolate or simmering apple cider available. It will make your house smell warm and inviting and is a nice gesture for anyone who braved an icy day to look at your home.
5. Be prepared.
Winter weather can be unpredictable. Keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to cancel and reschedule an open house at the last minute. It might be a bit of an inconvenience, but it’s better than trying to have people see your home in dangerous driving conditions.
About Zipi Wiki
If you enjoyed this tip, set yourself up with an agent that has mastered this strategy as well as so many more. At Zipi Wiki, we do one very important thing. We match you up with the best agent for you. There is no other service that can find more qualified real estate agents for selling your home than Zipi Wiki. We wish you the very best with your home sale, and hope your next abode is your best one yet!