How to Improve a Home’s Curb Appeal this Winter in Just a Few Steps

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By Jamie Barton

Curb appeal is often associated with freshly manicured lawns and show-stopping flower beds.  But this isn’t the case if you are selling your home during the dark and dreary winter months.  Without the vibrant cheery colors of spring and summer, you’ll need to find new ways to improve your curb appeal.  Luckily this isn’t a difficult task and doesn’t need to be overly time consuming.  What effort you put into improving your home’s curb appeal will be well worth the time.  Close to 95% of real estate agents confirm that great curb appeal leads to higher offers.  In just a few steps you can improve your home’s curb appeal and attract buyers even during the dreariest of winter days.

Remove Debris

So you were busy prepping for the holidays and neglected to remove the final layer of fallen leaves from your yard.  Snow will cover the mounds of decaying leaves that are now piled around your shrubs and covering your mulch, so there is no point in removing them right?  Wrong.  A layer of snow may cover your lawn, but it won’t hide mounds of debris piled around your bushes and in your flower beds, which will make your home look messy and unkempt.  Remove mounds of leaves with a rake or by hand before the snow has a chance to fall.  Remove fallen branches and whatever sticks may have dropped with their leaves.  Finally, tidy up around mulch beds and window sills.

Remove Snow and Ice

Keep your driveway and walkways free of snow and ice.  Not only do they detract from your curb appeal, they are also a hazard for individuals touring your home.  The last thing you need when trying to sell your house is a possible buyer slipping and possibly falling before they even get to see your home.  You might be tempted to skip the snow removal to save time and/or money.  However, presenting a clear safe path for buyers to reach your home will boost your chances of selling in the long run.  Nearly 30% of real estate agents believe that keeping walkways and driveways free of snow is the most important factor in selling a home during the winter.

Shine Some Light on Your Home

You’ve put the time and effort into cleaning up your lawn and landscaping, now it’s time to shine a light on all your hard work.  Properly lighting the outside of your home isn’t just good for curb appeal, it also keeps buyers safe.  Walkways and front porch steps can be difficult to navigate especially during darker winter months. Adding lighting to the outside of your home is easier than you think.  There are a variety of outdoor lights that use solar power, completely eliminating the need for electrical wiring.  Outdoor solar lights can be easily added around walkway paths with in-ground pathway lights.  Solar lights can also be used to properly illuminate steps, flower gardens, and the driveway.

In addition to well placed path lights, you can add additional light to your home by adding hanging lights or lanterns around your front porch.  Since these lights are very popular with homeowners right now, there are a variety to choose from.  You can stick with standard lights or make the lights part of your outdoor decor by going with colorful globe lights.  Any form of outdoor light that adds a warm glow on a dark cold winter night will benefit your chances of selling your home.

Winterize Your Landscape

Tulips and daisies are a beautiful and attractive landscaping flower for spring and summer months.  But when the cold winter sets in, the colorful flowers will wither and you will be left with empty flower beds.  In order to keep some color around your house you can invest in a few winter-hardy plants that require little maintenance.  Some favorites are Inkberry holly, evergreen azalea, boxwood, and mountain laurel.  If the snow has yet to find its way to your area you can add a fresh layer of mulch around your plants.

Give Your Door a Makeover

When the leaves have been raked and the yard is clear of debris, it’s time to add some color to your home.  One of the best ways to make a colorful statement is to paint your front door.  71% of agents say that a fresh coat of paint on the front door is a beneficial project before selling your home.  Bright cheerful colors such as varying shades of yellow and bright teal are always a hit as they offer a cheery contrast to darker winter days.  If you are in search of a classic color, dark blue or navy and vibrant shades of red always look stunning against a yard covered in snow.  

Make a Good First Impression with Your Mailbox       

First impressions leave a lasting impact.  And while you may pass by your mailbox every single day and never give the rust around the door hinge or the tilt of the base another thought, your buyer will.  While it may seem like a minor detail in comparison to other tasks to make your home’s curb appeal winter-ready, your mailbox should not be neglected.  So if your mailbox is showing serious signs of wear, consider purchasing a new one.  If your mailbox just needs a bit of tlc be sure to give it a good cleaning and then enhance its shiny new look with a fresh set of house numbers.

Regardless of how much time you put into improving your home’s curb appeal, keep in mind that selling a house in the winter tends to be slower than in the spring and summer.  If you are in a time crunch or simply do not have the financial ability to wait for a buyer you can always look into selling your home for cash. If you choose to market your house, it is best to contact a real estate agent who can guide you in the home selling process and maximize your chances of selling quickly no matter how much snow is on the ground.

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