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Attract Buyers With an Inviting Atmosphere

Warm up your home's appeal during cold-weather months.

By Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 11/07/2008

When showing your home in the winter, appeal to buyers with a cozy fire and tasteful holiday decorations.

When showing your home in the winter, appeal to buyers with a cozy fire and tasteful holiday decorations.

There's no better time than the chilly fall and winter months to make your home seem warm and welcoming to potential buyers. When buyers walk into your house, use these tips to make it feel like a home. This will encourage them to stick around, giving them more time to admire the space.

  • Crank up the heat. When it's cold outside, buyers will be grateful for a place to warm up. Turn the thermostat up a couple of degrees to make it extra toasty, or light a fire in the fireplace for an extra homey touch. Just be sure not to leave a fire unattended.
  • Let in the light. To make your home look bright and open when it's a bit dreary outside, turn on all the lights and open all the shades and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Use amber-colored light bulbs to give your home a warm glow.
  • Add holiday adornments. While overly large decorations can distract buyers from your home, tasteful wintry accents can complement your decor. Consider a simple wreath on the door, a vase filled with poinsettias on an end table, or a centerpiece made of pine cones on the dining room table. Read up on staging tips for the holidays.
  • Create appealing aromas. The scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls or apple pie is almost universally appealing. Avoid artificial fragrances like sprays and scented candles, which might affect buyers' allergies.
  • Offer warm treats. If delicious aromas are wafting through your home, follow through by having food and drinks available for buyers, such as cookies, hot chocolate or apple cider.
  • Play soothing sounds. Classical or jazz music playing softly in the background can add to your home's inviting atmosphere.
  • Emphasize comfort. As a finishing touch, emphasize the comfort of your home with luxurious and inviting fabrics, like soft blankets, plush towels or a silky tablecloth.

Read the Top 10 Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays:

  1. Deck the halls, but don't go overboard
  2. Hire a reliable real estate agent
  3. Seek out motivated buyers
  4. Price it to sell
  5. Make curb appeal a top priority
  6. Take top-notch real estate photos
  7. Create a video tour online
  8. Give house hunters a place to escape from the cold
  9. Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing
  10. Relax -- the new year is just around the corner

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