Keeping Your House Show Ready In The Winter

Winter open houses are generally regarded as some of the most challenging real-estate endeavors. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t be rewarding. If you know how to fully prepare your home for a cold-weather showing, then you can entice winter buyers, who tend to be more serious than their summertime counterparts. Take the advice of Pacific Northwest native Terrie Cox, RE/MAX Equity Group who has been selling homes during the winter months in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA for over 30 years.

Create a Landing Zone

As the months get colder and wetter, our clothing increases in layers. Plus, as we come in from the rain and occasional snow, we track a lot of seasonal elements on our shoes.  If you have a front porch, make sure you clear it of winter debris to keep buyers’ shoes clean. Place a water-absorbent rug in your entryway so they can wipe their feet when they enter. You should also provide an umbrella and coat rack so they can easily unload their winter gear. Plus, giving buyers shoe covers is an efficient way to keep winter outside this holiday season. Buyers will not only appreciate the convenience of this landing zone, but they will also be appreciative that you’ve taken precautions to keep their potential home stain-free.

Make Your Atmosphere Cozy

Combat the frigid temps outside your home by greeting your guests with a cozy level of heat. But be careful not to crank your thermostat too high – since buyers are entering your house from very cold temperatures, anything too hot can quickly grow uncomfortable for them. You can further increase the appeal of your property by nixing the store-bought cookies in favor of hot beverages, like cocoa, coffee, or apple cider. You could even consider having your open house professionally catered with winter treats. Plus, as they snack and sip in the kitchen, buyers might be better able to picture themselves living in your home.

Depersonalize Your Home

While this tip is useful year-round, it is especially important to consider during the holiday season. You should remove family collectibles and memorabilia, such as photos and figurines, from your home, and you should also be thoughtful if you choose to display holiday décor. Remember that not all buyers celebrate the same holidays as you do. Allow them to picture themselves living in your home by keeping the holiday décor to a minimum. If you do choose to make your home festive, consider a simple theme that utilizes a cohesive color palette – think glowing candles and wintry accents in neutral hues rather than all the holiday bells and whistles.

Seek Your Broker’s Advice

When in doubt about any aspect of your winter open house, the best course of action is to consult with your Broker. As a World-Ranked Broker with a host of positive
testimonials, Terrie Cox, RE/MAX Equity Group is an expert when it comes to selling homes in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA. If you want to learn more about best winter open house practices, contact Terrie Cox, RE/MAX Equity Group
online or at 360-607-4100.