| As our favorite flowers get buried under the snow | | | | are sparkling clean; this will be especially beneficial for |
| and the shrubs shed their greenery, it is all too easy | | | | day-time viewings when you want all the natural light |
| for your house and front yard to blend in with all the | | | | to flood in. |
| other white places in your area. But when your house | | | | For the evening viewings, place an amber or pink light |
| is on the market it is advantageous to have it | | | | bulb in at least one of your lamps, to give a warm |
| defined and noticeable, looking like the pick of the | | | | ambience to your room. Keep the lighting low at first; |
| bunch. | | | | once the bell rings you can add more lighting. |
| This is not so difficult to achieve, selling your home in | | | | Another spot for lighting is the front door and this |
| the winter does have some seasonal advantages | | | | can also be a tinted bulb for a warmer welcome. |
| that can help your home appeal to a prospective | | | | Make sure that the front door bell works and that |
| buyer. By spending only a few dollars, you can | | | | the door does not stick! Once something does not |
| transform your home into a Christmas card scene! | | | | work, the buyer wonders what else is wrong with |
| As your buyer turns into your street, he/she will | | | | the house. |
| already be assessing your home strictly from the | | | | As most of the blooms in your yard are gone, it may |
| outside view. For this reason, you will want the | | | | look a little austere. Do you have any decorative |
| exterior of your home to look uncluttered. Remove | | | | pathways that can be swept to reveal their pattern? |
| all kid's bikes, hockey nets, etc. Be sure that you | | | | Of course the walkways will be shoveled free of |
| park your family vehicles in the neighbor's driveway, | | | | snow, but if you actually sweep them with a yard |
| (ask first!) or around the corner. This will ensure that | | | | broom, it will reveal the patterning and colors that |
| the buyer's first impression of your home will also | | | | you may have. |
| include your garage doors and driveway. A spacious | | | | As you are trying to show your home to its best |
| front yard gives a feeling of more privacy, so strive | | | | advantage, you may think about removing the |
| for this. | | | | shoveled snow to the back yard. If you want the |
| Be sure to remove all garbage cans and recycle bins | | | | Christmas card view, you can't have heaps of dirty |
| from sight. This is critical if you have steps to | | | | snow piled up! Do be ultra sure that there are no |
| negotiate when they are put out. Try to minimize | | | | slippery spots. |
| any shortfalls that your property may have. | | | | Discuss with your realtor whether or not to add |
| Another first impression for night viewings will be the | | | | accessories. For instance, would a few large pots of |
| light streaming out of your windows, making the | | | | berry bushes look good grouped on the front lawn? |
| home look welcoming - or not. A bright white light | | | | Would the front door benefit from a three foot fir |
| and a full view of the interior would not be desirable. | | | | tree in a pot on each side of it? |
| You do not want them assessing the interior when | | | | Your walkways will be further enhanced by lamps |
| they should be admiring the exterior. From the | | | | placed along it, these are very reasonable and push |
| outside you want to evoke a warm welcome into | | | | into the ground in seconds. The snow will reflect the |
| the home and a suggestion of coziness can easily be | | | | lamp glow and add to the curb appeal of your home. |
| achieved. | | | | Once you have gone to all this trouble, just hope |
| However, first things first, make sure the windows | | | | that a blizzard does not arrive with the buyers! |