As we're nearing the winter solstice and the days are growing shorter, I'm reminded of just how important it is to present a for-sale home in the most welcoming way possible in order to attract a buyer.
If you've ever shopped for a new home and gone on showings after work hours as many potential home buyers do, you know that walking into a cold, dark house is anything but inviting.
Here are some basic but essential tips for showing your home at its very best.

• Clear walkways - Your buyers need to get safely from their car to your front door in order to view your property.
  Clear all debris, leaves/snow/ice, toys, and other yard implements off of your walkways, and make sure that loose stones, bricks, or pavers are secured to prevent tripping hazards.
  
• Clean, clean, clean - Buyers expect your house to be spotless, even if their own home isn't!Clean the dirty dishes in the sink, take out the trash, and make sure the dirty laundry is in your (closed) washing machine.
  Give the floors a once-over with a Swiffer, wipe down counter tops and make sure bathrooms sparkle.
  Buyers might not remember the color of your entryway, but they'll remember a dirty house!
• Light it up - When your Realtor is going to show your house to potential buyers, make sure to leave the lights on..
  ..
  Yes, all of the lights!It may seem excessive, but it's far better to have too much light than too little.
  Bright rooms are uplifting and allow buyers to see every detail of each space.
  Turning on the lights also helps buyers to feel at home instead of like they're sneaking around in "someone else's house.
  "
• Set a comfortable temperature - Just like the lights, a comfortably temperate home makes buyers feel as if you were expecting them and makes them feel welcome.
  The last thing you want is for buyers to feel like they're intruders in your home!Set the temperature as you would for guests.
  
• Highlight your home's special features -Call attention to special areas and features of your home that you want buyers to notice.
  For example, open window treatments wide if you have a good view, and if you have hardwood floors, take up area rugs in some of your rooms and leave floors bare to show them off.
  Remember, there were particular details of your home that attracted you to it in the first place, so remember to highlight those features for buyers.