Curb appeal in winter? Can’t buyers just assume what it looks like in all of its spring and summer glory? No, they can’t. And your curb appeal is one of the first things buyers will see and that determines whether they want to see anything more. Your curb appeal cannot be lacking during the winter if your home is on the market. Even if we don’t have snow covering our Pacific Northwest, things can look a little damp, soggy, and drab. Here are six things to boost your curb appeal this time of year.
#1. Create a welcoming front entry.
If your yard leaves much to be desired, draw the focus away from it to the front door. Perhaps it’s time to paint the front door, the trim, or spruce up the decorations and plants that welcome people into your home. Maybe it’s a seasonal reef hanging on the door, a newly painted mailbox, or a couple of beautiful potted plants on each side of the door. Remember to leave enough room for buyers and their agents at the front door.
#2. Clean up the yard.
You might have a lot of shrubs and brush that have no leaves on them at this time, but that doesn’t mean things need to look sloppy. Keep the yard trimmed, edged, and all of the bushes and trees properly pruned and shaped. Just cleaning up and raking leaves from the front yard can really work wonders for the curb appeal.
Related: More ways to boost curb appeal in winter
#3. Set up outdoor lighting.
Because the days are shorter, it gets dark about 5 PM around here so make your home safer and more attractive by using path lighting to illuminate your way to the front door. You might also flank the door with decorative sconces or lanterns. This again draws the eye away from what might be a drab yard to a beautiful front door.
#4. Keep the driveway, walkways, and stairs clean and clear.
Remove any weeds or moss from sidewalks, stairs, and driveways and consider pressure washing the driveway or sidewalk leading to the house. This creates a clean and fresh look to any of the hardscape around the house.
#5. Keep equipment hidden.
Make sure there’s no snow shovels, lawn equipment, or garbage cans out where potential buyers can see it. Keeping these tools handy but hidden is a great way to maintain good curb appeal.
#6. Use winter plants.
There are plenty of cold winter flowers and plants that do great this time of year, especially in our mild and moderate temperatures. A beautiful bouquet of moms or several plants in pots all of the same color can really add a striking look.
Additional Resources: Need tree trimming or removal? Contact Lineage Tree Care
If you’re struggling with how to stage your curb appeal on any Mercer Island, Seattle, or Eastside home me a call. Let’s talk about ways we can increase the curb appeal and get your house sold quickly.
