Most houses look a whole lot better in the spring and summer months than in the dark and dreary winter months. If you are selling in the winter, unfortunately you have to work with what you’ve got and still make that first impression count when potential buyers see your online photos and when they pull up to your property. Here are our top tips to get your property’s exterior in great shape, regardless of the frigid temps.

REMOVE LEAVES AND DEBRIs from yard & gutters

The most important action item to maintain excellent curb appeal during the winter months is to regularly remove leaves and debris from your property. The leaf removal process can be long and tiresome so you may want to consider hiring external help if you have a large yard or if you are short on time. It’s often more than a one-time event so be sure to schedule a big yard clean up in advance of any outdoor photography and plan for regular clean ups thereafter. Also, invest your time to remove leaves and debris from gutters, which is not only visually appealing but also prevents larger drainage issues. You want buyers to feel that the home is well maintained and cared for, both inside and out. A layer of new mulch also makes a big impact in the winter, despite the bare branches and lack of shrubbery.

power wash exterior surfaces

Despite the colder temperatures, it’s still important to power wash your exterior surfaces, including windows and siding, driveways and walkways. Particularly when the landscaping isn’t as bright and inviting, sellers need to present a clean and inviting exterior that represents what they’ll see inside. It’s fairly inexpensive to rent a power washer, but if you are limited on time this is another task that can be outsourced. Sparkling clean windows will allow for more light to enter the home and again, you are showing potential buyers that the house has not been neglected. In regards to driveways and walkways, clear the surfaces from debris and snow, if necessary, allowing for an easy entrance and exit from the property. If the walkways are dirty, use the power washer to clean the surface for a brighter and more inviting entrance.

spruce up your front door

A fresh coat of paint on the front door can produce an amazing exterior transformation. Our front doors take a tremendous beating over the years, but we don’t often pay them much attention. We typically recommend neutral colors for interior walls when selling, but the sky is the limit with front doors (well, within reason). It’s important to keep in mind the other exterior surfaces when you select a front door color, including any brick or paneling, as well as the roof and gutter colors. You can read more about our favorite front door colors here for inspiration. Adding a seasonal outdoor wreath is also a great tip to add some warmth and visual interest to the front door. We’ve rounded up some amazing winter wreaths. Note, none are too holiday-specific, but all feel cozy for the winter months.

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Update exterior lighting

A showing can pop up at a moment’s notice so a seller should make sure they have ample exterior lighting so that they buyer can both identify the property and safely enter the home, day or night. An easy to-do is to verify that all your exterior lighting is in good working order. However, if you’re exterior lighting has seen better days, we absolutely recommend that you update with new lighting that has clean lines and fits with the exterior aesthetic of the property.

be conservative with holiday decorations

Consistent with our messaging for interior holiday decorations, we recommend that you keep exterior holiday decor to a minimum or even pass on the decorations altogether while your property is on the market. Excessive holiday decor can be a distraction to potential buyers or even turn off buyers who may not share similar holiday traditions. In lieu of holiday lights or festive decor, we suggest you stick with seasonally appropriate wreaths, planters, and pops of color through outdoor pillows.

No matter the season, your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see when they arrive at your property, so make that first impression count. The work may be a little more taxing in the colder weather, but it will make such a difference in helping you sell your home quickly.