Worried about selling your home this winter? Don’t let the cold weather get you down. With many buyers on the lookout, there are many great ways to take advantage of the winter season when listing your home. Staging is one of the best ways to help your home stand out from the crowd and make a good, lasting impression. Even with dreary weather outside, you can wow potential buyers with a few strategic staging tips. Here are a few of our recommendations on how to effectively stage your home for the winter to create a warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Start Outside
Curb appeal is a big factor when it comes to making a good first impression with potential buyers. Before they set foot inside, you want to set the tone and have them excited about what’s inside. So start by sprucing up the exterior. Clear the walkways of any snow and ice. Trim vegetation as needed. Add a welcoming doormat outside of the front door and a colourful wreath. Place a decorated planter on either side of the doorway and string up some lights to illuminate and highlight the entranceway.
Remove Clutter
Whether your interior is small or large, clutter is never a selling feature. Get rid of as many excess belongings as you can to brighten up your space. Clear off those knick-knacks from the tabletops and leave only one or two items on them. Any piece of furniture should have a purpose, otherwise, get rid of it.
Make It Sparkle
Your home should be spotless before holding any showings. But sometimes, we know it can be challenging to identify the areas that need extra attention. We recommend asking an extended family member or friend to look over your home with a critical eye to help you pinpoint any neglected areas that you may have become desensitized to over the years.
Set the Scene with Lighting
When creating a welcoming and cozy interior, lighting is one of the most important ingredients. And the winter is all about feeling cozy, which is exactly how you want potential buyers to feel as soon as they step inside. During the day, open all of the curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Since the evenings get darker earlier, chances are you’ll have buyers viewing the home when it’s dark out. This is actually a great time to enhance the atmosphere of your home. If you can, dim the lights so they aren’t too stark and bright. Instead, have them dimmed midway and turn on any lamps for a warmer hue of light.
Light the Fireplace
Does your home have a fireplace? Don’t let it go to waste! Use it to swoon potential buyers. The fireplace is always a favourite focal point and a great selling feature too. Make sure it’s lit and ready to impress. Adding candles to the mantel can be a nice touch as well. However, try to avoid strongly scented candles as they can be off-putting to those who may be sensitive to the smell.
Be Strategic with Pillows and Throws
Pillows and throws are an essential part of the staging arsenal, regardless of the time of year. You can take full advantage by adding them to your bedroom, living room, family room or anywhere that could use some extra colour and warmth.
The secret to effectively staging your home for the winter is to make buyers feel welcome so they can easily see themselves living there. With these simple tips, you can make your home look its best and create a positive impact during showings.
Whether you’re searching for your first home or your forever dream home, our team at McElheran & Associates can help you find what you’re looking for in the Ottawa area.
Contact us today!
