Real Estate Marketing Ideas

How to Stage a Home for a Winter Listing

By Meaghan Loraas Last Updated December 1, 2021 3 min read

Who says that only spring and summer house listings sell?

Over one million homes were sold in the US last winter from December 2019 to February 2020. Just because the trees are bare and the ground is covered in snow doesn’t mean you can’t create an appealing real estate listing that attracts multiple buyers. With the right mindset, an eye for design, and a little creativity, you can stage your home for winter listing and close the deal.

Keep reading for our winter home staging tips!

Make Your Home Safe and Accessible

While a white coat of snow may give your home a quaint feel in the winter, it can limit access. Ensure that all pathways and entryways into your home are clear and safe for visitors and potential buyers.

This process includes plowing your driveway, shoveling a clear path to your front door, and salting any steps or other icy surfaces. Clear off any decks or patios to give guests a complete picture of your home and all it has to offer. Also, your home’s curb appeal will be much higher with a well-maintained exterior in cold weather.

Add some personality and warmth (literally) by including an outdoor seating area complete with a fire pit, heat lamps, an outdoor light fixture or two, and furry blankets and pillows in bright colors. 

Create a Warm and Cozy Atmosphere

When the cold winter air is blowing outside, visitors want to feel warm and comfortable inside your house. Create a cozy environment that envelops visitors as soon as they step inside.

Start by turning up the thermostat to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Help visitors forget about the frigid temperatures outside and focus on all your interior home staging efforts. 

Creating a toasty atmosphere will encourage visitors to stay longer, giving them more time to fall in love with your house. Tap into all of their senses by baking fresh cookies or lighting a winter-scented candle

winter real estate marketing
Natural light does a lot of good in the winter months!

Offer Plenty of Lighting

The cold winter months can also be dark and dreary. Drive out those winter blues by adding plenty of lighting to your home. 

When you stage your home for a winter listing, think “light and bright.” Warm colors, cozy textures, and fabrics with a neutral color like ivory, off-white, and cream brighten up your space and add a bit of holiday cheer. 

Be sure to keep your windows clean and clear, both inside and out. Open up your curtains and drapes, letting the natural sunlight in. Natural light is vital to show off your property. 

Illuminate each room, so visitors get a sense of how spacious and welcoming your home is. 

Showcase Your Home’s Potential

When you stage your home for a winter listing, chances are, buyers may miss out on certain features. Snow makes it difficult to see and explore all areas of your property.

Showcase your home’s potential by taking impressive photographs of the yard, patio, and other outdoor areas and strategically placing them throughout the house. Point out these areas and show prospective buyers how the property looks during the warmer months. 

Pictures are worth a thousand words and help guests visualize the year-round lifestyle they can enjoy living in your home.

Stage Your Home for a Winter Listing and Seal the Deal

Don’t let the cold winter months stop you from putting your house on the market. Millions of homes sell every year during what some consider the “off-season.”

By implementing a few of the above techniques, you can stage your home for a winter listing and attract numerous interested buyers.

In addition to these home staging tips, choosing the right photography team will help showcase your home in the best light possible. 

Schedule a photoshoot today and see what a difference Virtuance can make.