It is entirely possible and perfectly okay to sell your house in winter. If for whatever reason you must sell your Green Bay house during the cold months, here are some important tips to make it look more appealing to potential buyers. 

1. Curb appeal

Curb appeal is still important in winter. You want buyers to be excited about the house before they even step inside. A fresh coat of paint or stain goes a long way. Considering adding new address numbers and installing outdoor lighting fixtures. Do you need a new doormat? Now’s a good time to get one. Little changes like these can make a big difference. 

2. Place for shoes

You probably don’t want snow and sleet tracked through your house, so prepare a place for people to leave their shoes. It’s also a good idea to have cheap flip flops for guests to wear so they don’t have to walk around in their socks and get cold feet. In lieu of footwear for guests, consider plastic boot/shoe coverings. Place a few chairs near the entrance so guests can sit comfortably as they remove their shoes or cover them in plastic. 

3. Stage your home for winter

Staging a home for winter means doing your best to create a snuggly, cozy vibe. You want potential buyers to imagine themselves curling up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa or cider. Use throw blankets and pillows on sofas and armchairs to inspire a feeling of warmth. If you’re going to use scents, stick to seasonal aromas like cinnamon and clove. 

4. Use your fireplace

Speaking of cozy, if you have a fireplace, by all means use it. Nothing says cozy like a gently crackling fire in a fireplace. This is also a good time to consider getting a chimney inspection.

5. Prioritize lighting

It’s often dreary and dark during winter because the sun sets earlier. Even during the day, natural light is not as bright. To let in as much light as possible, clean your windows (inside and out) and open your blinds and curtains. Swap out dim bulbs for brighter ones. 

Flameless candles, lamps, and track lights are also great ways to lighten up dark corners and hallways without looking too harsh. 

6. Keep it warm

Don’t skimp on the thermostat. Keep the house at 65 degrees at a minimum, but probably no higher than 70 because you don’t want it to feel stifling. You want potential buyers to literally feel the warmth and coziness of the house. 

7. Freshen the air

Cooking and pet smells tend to stick around longer during winter because people typically don’t open their windows to let in fresh air. Clean and vacuum more often than you normally do. Fragrances and candles are fine, but less is more—don’t be overbearing with the scents. If you load up too much on the fragrances, people might think you’re trying to cover something up, and this is the last thing you want. 

8. Snow removal 

In addition to shoveling, be sure to lay down salt so people don’t slip and fall. For one, you don’t want anybody to get hurt. Secondly, if somebody slips and falls, that’s what will stick in their mind. You want them to think about the house, not falling in front of it. 

9. Remember the garage

People often store summer items in their garage during winter. If that’s something you must do, do it in a way so your garage doesn’t look cluttered.  

10. Mind the front yard

Just because it is winter in Wisconsin doesn’t mean your front lawn will be covered in snow. Without snow, your lawn will look yellowish and brown. So, do the best you can in terms of trimming, edging and raking leaves and other debris to make the lawn as presentable as possible.