Traditionally, when we think about curb appeal, we envision planting new flowers and mowing the lawn. But, the truth is that curb appeal is not exclusive to the warmer months. Here are four winter curb appeal tips that can help your home stand out from the crowd.
Put safety first
There are bound to be quite a few people coming in and out of your home while you’re marketing your home for sale. As the seller, the last thing you want to happen is for a prospective buyer to accidentally injure themselves on the way in the door. Unfortunately, that scenario has the potential to be a liability nightmare.
With that in mind, while you’re thinking of curb appeal, it’s crucial to consider safety first. Make sure to completely shovel your driveway and any walkways. Salt them if necessary. Additionally, do your best to clean your roof and gutters, including getting rid of any icicles.
Clean out your garage
Many people use their garage as an additional storage space. However, for most of us, it also has a tendency to become cluttered fairly quickly. While a little bit of extra clutter may not be the biggest detraction during the summer months, in the winter, it could be hiding a big selling feature. Put simply, if you live in an area with winter weather your buyers are likely going to need somewhere to park a car.
To that end, if you have a garage, it’s a good idea to make sure the area is in the best shape possible before your home hits the market. Use hooks to get any outdoor gear off the floor and invest in some storage solutions to keep any clutter hidden away. As a rule of thumb, if you can easily park in the garage, chances are good that a buyer will be able to envision doing the same.
Update your lighting
The next feature to consider is lighting. Often, it will get darker earlier during the winter months, which means that most after-work showings will be taking place as the sun is setting. In order to avoid accidents or injury, it’s smart to reevaluate your home’s exterior lighting and add more if necessary.
When considering a lighting plan, your best bet is to start by charting the most likely route into the house from the front lawn. If possible, use outdoor path lighting to guide the way. If that type of lighting is not conducive to your area, you may need a spotlight or two to ensure safety.
Offer an inviting entry
Lastly, take the time to put together an inviting entry. Make sure you can read your house numbers from the street. Invest in a new welcome mat. Hang a seasonal-yet-neutral wreath from the front door.
On the other side of the door, the entry should be just as welcoming. Consider putting out an additional welcome mat to give potential buyers a space to wipe their feet. If winter weather is of particular concern, think about supplying protective booties for visitors to wear during their showings, Similarly, putting a coat rack near the door where they can store those necessary, bulky. outer layers will likely be seen as a nice touch.
Park Cities Mortgage is an Equal Housing Opportunity lender. Sponsored by NTFN, Inc. 5950 Sherry Lane, Suite 230, Dallas, TX 75225 | NTFN NMLS 75333.