When you decide that you’re ready to sell your home and relocate, many people will advise you to wait until the weather gets a little warmer before listing it on the market. But should you really hold off until the holidays are over if you know that you want to move? Although it goes against popular wisdom, showing your home to prospective buyers during the winter months actually has some unexpected advantages.

According to Frederick Real Estate, fewer people selling their homes at this time of year means less competition for you, and everyone from real estate agents to contractors will have more room in their schedules to accommodate your needs. However, you might need to put a little more thought into staging and dealing with harsh weather. These tips will help you stage your home during the colder months to increase your curb appeal and impress potential buyers.

 

Keep an Eye on the Weather

Hazardous winter weather can present some additional challenges to both buyers and sellers. Before any buyers come by, make sure that walkways are clear of snow, ice, mud, and leaves — you don’t want anyone slipping and falling on their way to the house.

The weather can also be a concern on your own moving day. If you’re moving in the winter, trying to drive a large truck by yourself might not be advisable — let an experienced crew who knows how to navigate in inclement weather handle those responsibilities. Carefully research local moving companies and read over reviews. You can’t control the elements, but you can choose how you deal with the circumstances!

 

Add a Pop of Color

The dreary winter weather might not provide the most attractive backdrop to your home. However, you can create some contrast with a few pops of color. If you’re planning on decorating outside for the holiday season, keep it simple and make sure that your brightly colored decor complements the hues of your home’s siding. A new coat of paint on the mailbox and even an eye-catching set of house numbers can work wonders. Toss a cute welcome mat down and hang a wreath on the door to liven things up a bit.

 

Fresh Paint Job

Sometimes, a fresh outdoor paint job is just what your home needs for wintertime curb appeal. Check it out from the street yourself, and get a second opinion from a friend – if the consensus is that it looks a little drab, it’s time for a touch-up. You don’t need to paint the entire house. Repainting the window shutters and the front door is a quicker, more cost-effective option. Got a window box? Give it a fresh coat, too. Lowes also recommends looking into an exterior garage makeover; don’t ignore this important section of the house! Your goal is to make your home look like an inviting oasis despite the cold climate, and a basic paint job is key.

 

The Right Lighting

When it comes to your home’s interior, the right lighting can make all the difference, especially since the sun sets earlier this time of year. Ensure that all the lighting in the kitchen is bright enough for cooking and entertaining. Change the bulbs in bedside lamps, and consider a floor lamp for your living room. Wall-mounted lighting in hallways can also look elegant. You might even want to install an outdoor lamp by your front door to give your porch a warm glow.

Selling your home during the fall or winter might seem like a risky choice, but you might be surprised by how quickly you find a buyer. It’s all about considering the presentation from the buyer’s point of view and getting the aesthetics just right. And when your staging choices help you clinch that sale, you can ring in the New Year by celebrating as you put up that “Sold” sign.