There are pros & cons to selling your home in any given season.  Here are a few specific drawbacks to selling this winter:

-Shortened daylight, snow cover & dead plants make for poor curb appeal, so buyers have to imagine how your home will look next spring.

-Clearing driveways, walks & decks of snow is a hassle.

-Cold weather tends to exaggerate issues like drafty areas, poor insulation & poorly lit rooms.

But buyers looking in the winter are usually not casual about purchasing.  They are out traipsing through the snow & cold because they have a deadline or a very good reason to buy soon.  Use these tips to focus on what buyers notice in winter:

-Keep driveways, walkways & entries shoveled for safety and to demonstrate how easy it is to access your property.

-Keep blinds up and lights on, even during daytime showings, to brighten your home’s interior.

-Play up the season with warm touches like having cookies & hot cider available–buyers will love the homey smell as well.

-Chances are buyers will have coats, hats & gloves–provide a place where they can hang their winter gear.  And have a place to wipe or doff snowy boots to avoid wet footprints inside.

-Be sure your Realtor updates your listing in the MLS & ad materials to reflect current exterior photos.  Nothing says ‘dated listing’ like a summer photo in winter or vice versa.