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Just because the days have become shorter and the trees have lost their leaves does not mean that you should forget about the curb appeal of your property.
Keeping your house looking its best can be a bit of a challenge during the winter months, and it certainly can get in the way of selling a home if attention isn’t paid to detail. When the temperatures start to drop, you have to get creative to maintain your home’s outside appearance.
Where a home is located makes a big difference in terms of what can be done to make a house look its best. It might be easiest to choose a service for commercial snow removal, while in Florida it would make more sense to focus on using plants that can withstand the slightly cooler temperatures. Whether you are selling your home or simply wishing for it to look great, the following are some great ideas for how to boost your home’s curb appeal this winter.
Safety First
Maybe the most important issue a homeowner faces during the winter is making sure that it is a safe environment for guests and potential buyers. The last thing a homeowner needs is for someone to become injured after sustaining a fall, because then you are in a position of being liable if someone wants to sue.
The best way to keep this from happening is to make sure that when temperatures drop below 40°F, there is a small amount of salt placed on any walkways or where there is a risk of someone slipping.
Clear the Lawn & Driveway
Most potential buyers want to envision themselves coming home to a house they are looking at purchasing, so it makes sense that you would want to make sure that the lawn and driveway are tidy and clear of debris.
Make sure that the driveway and walkways to the front door are regularly shoveled if it snows where you live. Also make sure that any dead leaves or fallen branches are raked from the yard and thrown in the trash. By keeping the lawn and driveways clean, you make potential buyers think the rest of the house is just as clean.
Enhance the Entryway
Because winter means Christmas for so many people, one of the easiest things to do is put a wreath up on your front door. At the same time, try to avoid putting up flashy holiday decorations – a giant inflatable Santa Claus is going to distract buyers from the more important parts of your home.
Another great idea is to look at what your neighbors are doing and paint your front door using similar colors to the rest of your neighbors. This creates a sense of uniformity and by painting the door it creates a warm inviting image. Another great small touch is to place a small pile of freshly cut wood by the door, especially if there is a fireplace.
Add the Finishing Touches
Make sure that you pay attention to the little details like pressure washing the bricks of your house to make sure there aren’t any discolored ones. Be sure that you clean out the gutters so that they drain properly but also so that they look good.
Remember to plant evergreens or flowers that can withstand the cold like witch hazel or pansies. Lastly, don’t forget to make sure that all of your outdoor lighting works, and if you have strings of lights, that you aren’t missing a bulb which could keep them all from lighting up.
Keeping up your home’s appearance when the weather changes and the sun isn’t shining might not be the easiest task, especially as it gets colder, but a little effort before it gets too cold will make all the difference when the snow and ice set in and you can’t deal with those tasks.
