Written by Shannon Petrie and published on https://www.hgtv.com/.
The holiday season is a popular time of year to buy a house. If you’re selling, chances are you’ll be spending these new few weeks on various home improvement projects. Obviously, you want to get the highest possible offer when the process is all said and done.
Tips for Winter Curb Appeal
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can slack off on curb appeal. If you’re trying to sell your home during the holiday months, making a good first impression is just as crucial as ever. Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing your home’s exterior for a fall or winter sale:
- Safety first. First and foremost, you want to ensure that buyers can make it to your front door without any accidents. Prevent slips by clearing your driveway, walkways and stairs of snow, ice and leaves.
- A tidy lawn. Your grass may no longer be green, but you can still keep your lawn looking neat so buyers can picture what it will look like in the spring and summer. Keep your lawn clean by periodically raking up leaves and other debris.
- Clean gutters. Leaves will accumulate in your gutters in the fall, so clean them out before putting your home on the market to show buyers that you care about exterior home maintenance.
- Fresh paint. Because of bare trees, buyers have a clearer view of your home in the fall and winter than they do in the spring and summer. Faded or chipped paint will really stand out, so give your home a fresh coat if it needs it.
- Outdoor lighting. As the days get shorter, having proper outdoor lighting will make your home safer and more attractive for buyers who come to visit at night. Use a series of path lights to illuminate the way to your front door, or flank the door with decorative sconces or lanterns.
- Winter decorations. A giant inflatable Santa Claus in the front yard is sure to distract buyers, but subtle wintry decorations can bring out the best in your home. Try a simple wreath on the front door, small white lights strung around shrubbery, or a pile of firewood stacked neatly against a wall.
- Cold-weather plants. Evergreen trees or plants that can stand up to the cold weather such as pansies or witch hazel can liven up a drab landscape.
Original post https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/tips-for-winter-curb-appeal. Maintaining curb appeal during the winter months can be a challenge, but incorporating seasonal elements like evergreens, vibrant wreaths, and outdoor lighting can make a big impact. Colorful accents, such as winter-blooming flowers or trimmed hedges, enhance the visual interest of your home’s exterior and create a welcoming atmosphere. For an extra touch of color and structure, consider adding red twig dogwoods to your garden, but remember that proper dogwood tree pruning techniques are essential to maintain their vivid appearance and encourage healthy growth. Regular pruning not only keeps the plant tidy but also promotes the production of new, bright red stems, making them a standout feature in your winter landscaping.