AVOIDING WINTER STAGING MISTAKES Liz Burrow , Realtor ®
Selling a home in winter means fewer buyers but those who are willing to brave the cold to go house hunting are generally serious , so you want your home to stand out above the rest . Here are a few all too common winter staging mistakes to avoid .
Under-Heating Deciding on a home comes down to how the buyers feel and during the colder months warmth and coziness makes a home so much more inviting . Many sellers choose to market their properties while they are out of town and fall into the trap of turning down the thermostat to save on energy .
Over-Holidaying During the holiday season you definitely want to get into the spirit but when decorating a home there is a very fine line between being festive and being off-putting . Don ’ t go overboard ! Subtle decorations which highlight the special features of your home are inviting but too much jollification can be distracting and make the home look cramped .
26 LakeTalk November 2023
Light and bright Cozy lighting is very seasonal and inviting but not when you are trying to show off the details of your home . With areas that do not have overhead lights add enough lamps to brighten the room as during the winter months there can be limited natural light .
Pet preparedness During the colder months it is important to keep our four-legged friends protected and they usually have more beds and comfort items lying around than in the summer . Setup a checklist to remove toys , beds , food bowls and hair quickly and efficiently before every showing and if possible , take them with you when you leave the home . Leaving a dog in a crate can most certainly be upsetting for the pet and it also tends to make visitors uneasy when the pet is stressed by strangers in their home .
Over-scenting Holiday scented candles can be very popular this time of year , but they are not popular with everyone and may give the impression that you are trying to cover up other unpleasant odors . If you want to create a great festive atmosphere , who can resist the smell of freshly baked cookies ?
Into the dark Outdoor lighting is not of such importance during the summer months . However , in the winter it is very common for buyers to be returning to their cars in the dark and the last thing you want is them tripping on their way out . As most areas of Lake Linganore have limited street lighting this is particularly important . It is also an opportunity to make sure your street lamp is operating as this will be mentioned on your HOA resale disclosure if it is not .
If your agent offers a staging service , they will guide you with much more information on how to prepare for listing . If you do not have the benefit of a stager , these tips will certainly go a long way to assist in boosting your home ’ s appeal . Statistics show that staged homes receive more interest , higher prices and go under contract in less time .