Greater Boston and Cape Cod still have months of winter left on the calendar. And despite cold temperatures, shorter days, and the potential for snow, successful open houses take place every week. With a little advance preparation, homesellers can thumb their noses at the weather and ace a winter open house with these tips.
1. Clear the Driveway
Wintertime snow plows can sometimes leave a trail of snowy, salty debris at the end of the driveway. Try to keep your driveway entrance as clear as possible. If a snowstorm is forecasted before your open house, be ready for snow removal whether you do it yourself or hire a service. Put away snow shovels and ice melt that may be sitting on a porch, deck, or patio.
2. Neaten Winter Landscaping
You can’t make flowers bloom during the winter, but you can make sure garden beds are neat and clean. Rake out dead leaves and refresh beds with new mulch. Give the rest of your landscaping some TLC by pruning shrubs. cutting back perennials, and making sure the lawn is clear of branches even if it’s blanketed by snow.
3. De-Personalize Your Home
This tip applies to open houses no matter what the season. Before you list your house on the market, prepare your home for sale by removing the personal items that make your home “you.” This includes personal effects like family photos, collectibles, and memorabilia. Personal belongings distract buyers from visualizing the house as their new home. When it’s open house time, be sure to de-personalize by removing mail and magazines. In bedrooms and bathrooms, don’t leave personal belongings like jewelry or toiletries on display. You want buyers to see the attributes of the home, not your brand of mouthwash or hand lotion.
4. Help Buyers Get Inside
Even a light accumulation of snow can make it hard to get inside a home. Make sure steps and walkways are dry and completely free of snow and ice. Clear snow off railings. If you use ice melt, apply it in plenty of time to work. Use visual elements to tell homebuyers which entryway to use. Not everyone thinks they should use the front door during a winter open house. Try these ideas: Leave the front door open and the storm door closed. Put up a welcome sign. Turn on exterior lights even during daylight hours.
5. Make It Easy to Remove Footwear
No one wants to track snow or mud into a home. Provide a bench or a couple of chairs where people can sit to remove footwear. Not everyone finds it easy to remove footwear while standing. Put down a large mat or boot tray on the floor. Create this landing zone just inside the entryway, but off to the side to avoid a traffic jam that blocks the front door. Let people step in, sit, and safely and comfortably shed their footwear.
6. Protect Entryway Floors
Nonskid rugs or mats are a must to protect your floors when it’s wet outside. Make sure they are new or in perfect condition. Put them down before the open house. Afterwards, sweep or vacuum them clean and stow them away until next time. These are useful for wintertime home showings, too.
7. Provide a Place for Umbrellas
Homebuyers will appreciate having a place to park a wet umbrella. Get an umbrella stand and make it part of your landing zone. Don’t make homebuyers walk through the home with a wet umbrella tucked under their arm. Nor do you want to put anyone in the position of having to lay a wet umbrella on the floor.
8. Flood Rooms with Light
Rooms look their best with lots of light. Bring in as much light as possible by opening all shades and curtains. Turn on the lights in every room. This is especially important on those overcast days with no sunshine.
9. Adjust the Temperature
Make sure the heat is on. But don’t set the thermostat so high that bundled-up buyers are too warm. Keep everyone comfortable with a setting of 68 degrees.
10. Add Color and Warmth
On a cold day, nothing makes a room look more inviting than a brightly burning fireplace. If you can light a fire in your fireplace, an open house is the perfect time to do it.
You can warm up your home without a fire with touches like hot cider or hot chocolate. Add a platter of cookies or doughnuts and stack of napkins in a bright color. Create a warm atmosphere with cozy throws on sofas and chairs.
Evoke sunnier seasons with a bowl of fruit placed on a kitchen island—try green apples or bright oranges. Leafy houseplants in brightly colored pots can warm rooms with a pop of spring color.
