“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.” - Edith Sitwell

I adore Winter. The freshness, the clarity and above all else, the comfort of stepping into my home after an afternoon spent outside. There’s simply no better feeling. Winter is indeed the season of comfort and it's also the perfect time to highlight just how cozy your home can be. 

So if you’re planning to plant a FOR SALE sign in the snow then read on. I’m spilling my seven secrets to selling your home in a snowy Moncton Winter. 

1. Gear Down the Winter Gear

If the ideal buyer of your property is a family - and chances are pretty good that is the case if you’re selling a home in Greater Moncton - then take particular note of this one. One of the big items on the list of most families when looking at a new home is… storage. Particularly, everyday storage. More specifically, enough room for all of the coats, boots, hats and mittens. 

While I realize that you may not be a coat enthusiast like moi, the fact remains that 1-2 winter items (coats/snow pants) plus 1-2 pairs of footwear, times 4-5 family members does not a clear entry-way make. 

You want potential buyers to be able to envision whether they will be able to store their own items. They won’t be able to do that if they’re struggling to find somewhere for their own footwear during their viewing or if they’re getting rained on by extra mittens when they open a closet door. 

2. Get Hygge With It

I leaned on Country Living magazine for a little context on this secret: 

“Pronounced "hoo-ga," this Danish concept cannot be translated to one single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. If you've ever enjoyed reading a book indoors on a rainy Sunday or a cup of hot cocoaon a snow day, you've experienced hygge without even knowing it.” 

And yes, I’m disappointed that Hygge doesn’t actually rhyme with Jiggy but I digress.

Here are some ways to simply and tastefully crank up the cozy: 

• Turn on the fireplace

• Change lightbulbs from cool white to warm white (personal pet peeve alert)

• Add texture with wool or knit blankets

• Keep the color pallet neutral

• Set vignettes near a window with a cozy chair or a good book

• Use artificial candles that you can keep on when you leave for showings

  3.Humidify 

Perhaps you don’t follow me on my personal Instagram and therefore are unaware of my personal passion for pontificating the benefits of home humidification during the winter months. And while that hurts my feelings a little, I can’t miss this opportunity to ensure that you’re in the loop. 

Winter months in our climate here in Moncton can lead to incredibly dry indoor air - especially in newer, more energy efficient homes. 

I recommend that anyone experiencing dryness in their home in the winter run a humidifier to protect their bodies and their homes (dry air can be really bad for hardwood floors and cabinetry) but I recommend this especially if potential buyers will be visiting the home to ensure that they’re comfortable in the space.

4. Wintery White Window Wonderland

There’s nothing quite like gazing out the window to the beauty of freshly fallen snow only to have the brightness of nature reveal that your windows probably should have had some cleaning love back in October. 

Washing windows in the winter??? Yes, it's possible. And a really good idea if potential buyers are looking out the windows into a sea of winter white. My research tells me that you can mix a solution of windshield washer and water to get those windows clear. Note that I have never personally tried washing my windows in the winter so I cannot vouch for the aforementioned solution.

5. Clear Those Lines 

While I may have never given my windows a winter wash, one thing I have done - many times - is wade through thigh deep snow looking for property lines and/or markers. Imagine that most buyers will be very interested in where the property begins and ends so - if at all possible - it would only benefit the marketing of your property to mark or even clear a path where the lot line is to ensure that buyers feel confident in exactly what they’re buying.

6. Shovel It to Show It (Outdoor patios; decks etc)

While it may sound obvious to recommend shovelling walkways, doorways and steps for buyers and their agents to access the property, you would be surprised how many REALTORS® keep a shovel in their trunk… you know, just in case :) 

What is a little less obvious though, is that often some of the home’s best outdoor features remain unknown to potential buyers until they’ve moved in and settled into Spring! So consider cleaning off all walkways, patios and decks that a buyer should be able to see to ensure that the whole value of your property is on display.

7. Get Salty

When it comes to enticing buyers, you want them feeling at ease and confident… which is literally impossible for them to do if they’re holding onto the outdoor stair railing for dear life or worse yet, picking themselves up off the ground after a Fall. 

When it comes to salting and sanding your outdoor driveways and walkways, more is more. 

Why Wait?

There really is no need to wait until Spring to get your move underway. If you found these Seven Secrets helpful, please consider sharing them with your local network so that they can extend their selling season, too. 

If you or someone you know is planning to sell this year, shoot me a text so we can talk strategy & decide exactly when would be the perfect time to list: 506-961-0239.