Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
- 2026 | 8 Posts
- 2025 | 48 Posts
- 2024 | 48 Posts
- 2023 | 48 Posts
- 2022 | 48 Posts
- 2021 | 48 Posts
- 2020 | 51 Posts
- 2019 | 48 Posts
- 2018 | 29 Posts
17
How to Spruce Up Your Home for Winter Open Houses
Let's face it, winter weather in Maine isn't always fun and games. When the wind starts to kick up, and the ground is covered with ice and snow, most potential home buyers would rather hunker down in front of the fireplace than venture out to look at Augusta homes for sale.
While summertime open houses are easy to prepare, setting one up in winter brings its own set of challenges. It's likely that you won't get as much foot traffic, so you'll want to do everything you can to put your best foot forward. These five tips will help you spruce up your home and increase your chances of closing a deal.
- Avoid a Slippery Situation
First impressions are everything, and the last thing you want is for a potential home buyer to fall on their way into the house. Shovel a complete path all the way from the street to the front door. De-ice the driveway, sidewalk, and front porch to make it as safe as possible. - Provide a Landing Space
Guests arriving at your open house are likely to be covered in snow and slush, so take precautions to protect your home while also keeping them comfortable. Start by placing a thick mat on the front porch for them to wipe their feet and set up a coat rack and umbrella stand by the front door. Our real estate agents also recommend providing visitors with shoe covers. Not only will this help ensure the carpets don't get ruined, but it also shows potential buyers that you care about the condition of the home. - Keep it Warm and Cozy
Turn on the heat, so the house is warm and cozy. If there's a lot of traffic coming in and out it could get chilly inside, so you'll want to set your thermostat a degree or two higher than usual. Be careful, however, not to turn it up so high that the house gets hot and stuffy. - Let in the Light
Houses that are bright and airy are far more inviting than those that are dark and dreary. You won't be able to open up the windows during a winter open house, but you can still let in light by making sure they're clean and pulling back the drapes. - Go the Extra Mile
During the holiday season, you have plenty of opportunities to make your open house stand out from the crowd. Skip the bottled water and store-bought cookies. Instead, create a homey feeling by serving coffee or hot cocoa and baking fresh cookies. If it's in your budget, you might even want to go as far as hiring Santa to take photos with the kids or hiring a caterer to serve holiday-themed finger foods. Adding these types of memorable touches can help to draw a crowd, increasing the chances of finding your perfect buyer.
Your Augusta Real Estate Pros Make Home Selling a Breeze
The real estate agents at Sprague & Curtis know how to put your home in the best light, all year round. With over 60 years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the local area, we'll help you get the best deal for your home, without the hassle. Contact us today to learn how we can make your home-selling experience a breeze.