Imagine a buyer arriving at your Waterdown home at six on a winter evening. They’re looking for the house number, figuring out where to park and trying to see the front steps. By the time they reach your door, they’ve already formed an impression of the property.
Before listing in winter, I’d do one walk-through after sunset. Start at the curb and follow the route a buyer will take.
Make the front door easy to find
Turn on the porch light and look back at the house from the street. Can you read the house number? Can you see the walkway and every step up to the door? Before a showing, clear the route from the parking spot to the entrance. If there’s a specific place visitors should park, I can put it in the showing instructions.
Inside, leave room for boots and coats. A boot tray and a clear spot to stand make it easier for a group to come in without crowding the doorway.
Turn on the lights buyers would otherwise have to find
Leave the lights on in the entry, kitchen, main living area and basement stairway before you leave. Walk down the hall and look into each room the way a buyer would. A lamp in a dark corner or a working bulb over the stairs can do more for an evening showing than another round of decorating.
Keep the house at a comfortable temperature during the showing window. Buyers will probably still have their coats on when they first come in, so think about how the house will feel as they walk through.
Give the backyard a chance to be seen
If the deck or yard is a selling feature, turn on the exterior light and look out from the kitchen or patio door. Can buyers see the size of the deck or where the fence runs? A daylight photo of the same view helps them understand what they’re looking at. For buyers who are especially interested in the outdoor space, I’d suggest a second showing during daylight.
Selling or buying in Waterdown?
If you’re selling this winter, I can help you decide what to prepare for photography and what to do before the first evening appointment. Explore Waterdown real estate · See my full-service, low-commission selling options
If you’re buying, I can help you compare the homes you see and arrange a second look when daylight makes a difference. My buyer rebate is up to 1%, subject to the cooperating commission and program terms. See how the buyer rebate works