Winter. Everyone’s LEAST favourite season. Well, unless you are an avid skier or snowboarder… or snowshoer, for that instance.

Whatever your winter passion may be, hang onto it, because for the rest of us, we just count down the days until that mojito finds its way back into our hands on a sunny patio.

There is one thing winter is really good for — and often overlooked — and that’s listing your home for sale.

“But there’s snow, and it’s all grey and yucky outside,” you might be thinking.

That’s right. There is. And, for the most part, other people who are looking to sell their homes are thinking that too. That means if you list in winter you are gaining a bit of an upper hand here.

You are getting a head start on those waiting for the turn of the season.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is by putting your home on the market during the colder months, you are lowering the number of competitors you are up against.

Here are a few tips and tricks you can keep in your pocket to prevent any more negative thoughts about this blessed selling season.

Keep it clean

Just as you would rake up leaves from your yard in the fall, or weed your garden in spring and summer, you must, must, must keep your pathways, driveways and sidewalks clear of snow.

Not only does this make it look like your home is well taken care of and loved, but it may save you from a lawsuit if there is a slip at one of your many showings.

No one likes to shovel, but you’ll have to stay on the ball over the winter months. Be sure to get out there after each snowfall. You may even have to get out there multiple times a day — unfortunately.

On the bright side, it’s great exercise — if that was something on your resolutions list. Or, if you can, hire a young neighbourhood entrepreneur who is looking to make a few bucks.

Use your listing to your advantage

When marketing your home online, photos are worth 1,000 words. However, when you are marketing your home in winter, those photos are suddenly worth a lot more.

Use your listing to showcase your home in other seasons as well so potential buyers can imagine themselves living there year-round.

Show off those photos you took last summer when your trees and flowers were in full bloom and the sun-soaked yard screamed for garden parties and late-night bonfires.

While choosing photographs of the home’s interior that were captured during winter, be sure to select those images that are drenched in natural light or are tastefully lit by lamps, candles and overhead lighting.

Use the calendar to your ‘advent’age

Do you see what I did there? ‘Tis the season to make spirits bright. That’s what we all look forward to during these frigid months, so use this! USE THIS!

Those holiday decorations will work double time to make your home stand out and emphasize just how cosy, warm and festive your home is — even during the darkest and coldest days of the year.

During home showings, have a nice fire going (if that’s an option, of course); have some goodies baking in the oven to trigger the olfactory senses, and adorn your tree with simple, festive and sophisticated ornaments that will allow guests to picture their own families enjoying the holidays here.

Turn the lights on

Have you ever been walking at night and caught a glimpse of a home with loads of light pouring out of the windows? How inviting does that look!

Lights not only make interiors look their best, but they emphasize those cozy undertones that we are after while trying to market a home during winter. So, flick on the lights. Up the wattage in your bulbs and invite some of that warmth into your home.

Don’t forget about your exterior lights as well. Illuminate walkways and pathways leading to your home for a warm welcome — and an extra safety measure for those slippery days.

Decorate with lights, too. That’s right. Create warm layers with lighting. Set up lamps to illuminate those dark, shadowy corners and take advantage of spotlights and LED strip lighting to direct attention to your home’s finest assets.

Don’t be afraid to use holiday lighting to your advantage here, as well. Tying into my last tip, those twinkle lights look fantastic both inside and out. So, bring ‘em in.

Show off the home’s winterproofing

Have you recently installed energy-efficient products that help lower your utility bills come winter?

Have you installed new windows, LED lights or a high-efficiency heating system?

Show these off to your potential winter buyers. These (mostly inexpensive) upgrades will be greatly appreciated by the next homeowner as they will reap the rewards for years to come.

Those looking to buy a home during the winter months are typically paying more attention and are more aware of things such as materials used in construction, lifespan and maintenance on the furnace and other winter-esque things that are vital for the upkeep and durability of a home after the first snowfall.

Listing your home in winter doesn’t sound all that bad now, does it? So, if you are looking to sell your home and you are interested in getting a leg up over the competition, do not fear! With these tools at the ready, you will be able to take full advantage of winter — and not just with a trip to the slopes!

The post 5 Tips to Sell Your Home this Winter first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

This is the most beautiful season of the year. The pristine white snow, the sparkling twinkle lights, the bows, glitter and greenery marrying to create the magical winter wonderland that makes us all forget about the unpleasantly frigid air and, instead, makes us recall priceless moments with our loved ones.

Yes, the holidays are here. And so are the new 2018 Christmas decorating trends. Secret: that’s my other favourite part of the season. Every year, mall displays and downtown cores showcase a new colour palette or a new unique way to decorate the same ol’ evergreen.

So, let’s take a winter walk together through the holiday decorating trends of 2018.

Maximalist decorating: Yep, you heard me. This might strike you as a surprise, but it’s true. More and more trees are saying “nope” to the popular minimalist trend that has taken the world by storm through the power of social media over the past couple of years. These rebellious trees are calling to wear every decoration and ornament you own.

The trick while experimenting with the maximalist trend is to keep your colours consistent and limited to a complementary palette of four to six — this way, you won’t overwhelm the eye with too many combating colours that will distract from each individual ornament that you have hung with care.

Glitter: Everything, literally everything, is doused in glitter. These Christmas balls catch, reflect and refract the light in such a magical way that — there’s no doubt in my mind — that this is the year where the more glitter there is, the better.

A helpful tip to utilize this hot ticket item in your holiday decorating is to mix and match these glittery gems with some rich matte pieces in blues, whites, or even blacks to really make these pieces pop.

Matte: On the flip side of the coin, matte ornaments are really trending this season. There are matte Christmas balls, animal figurines and decor items to adorn your walls and mantles, all in the spirit of the season. Interestingly enough, these matte colours are straying from the traditional red and green colours of the holiday. Now, we can welcome matte whites, golds, navy blues, bottle greens and blacks to make your tree stand out from the rest.

Minimalist wreaths: Typically, I am used to seeing busy wreaths hanging from all of the doors in my neighbourhood. This year, however, I’ve noticed a new kind of wreath — and I have to admit, I am loving them. Wreaths have lost a lot of weight. In fact, they are now about a third of the size that they used to be… quite literally. There are two-thirds of the stylish golden ring left exposed! Sometimes they are adorned with a pair of bells, or perhaps a ribbon. But, this minimalist take on the traditional decoration is refreshing and absolutely stunning.

Tree collar: Need to hide the unsightly base of your faux-slash-real Christmas tree? Tired of looking at that basic tree stand your evergreen is screwed into? Tired of having to rearrange the tree skirt to rid it of wrinkles? Have no fear! Tree collars are in. Easy-to-use rings in all sorts of finishes — metal, wood, even concrete — cover it all up with no effort. Bonus: tree collars make it a bit more difficult for the cats to attack the tree!

Ribbon, baby: Ribbon is back in. Tie those trees up with delicate golds and stunning silvers that will shimmer alongside the hundreds of twinkle lights marking the holidays.

Snow dusting: Snow-dusted elements such as pinecones, ornaments and trees are trending this season! Combined with strong colourful pops of red and splashes of blue the frosted look is bound to stand out. Or, embrace the crisp whites paired with a neutral palette to create a minimalist winter paradise indoors.

Flower power: Mix the seasons up a bit by adding some silk flowers to your Christmas tree. Try a floral garland, or place them throughout the tree in a more natural, haphazard way. The addition of florals will soften up the evergreens while adding new texture to your decorations.

Make it shine: Are you short on ornaments? Try layering up the lights. Rows upon rows of twinkle lights shining in the dark winter night. Now, that is sure to make any spirit bright. Add lights to the garland on the mantle and incorporate lights around the kitchen and dining areas.

Go big: Time to pack up those tiny ornaments of yesteryear because 2018 is the year of oversized ornaments. Mix-and-match textures, finishes and colours to whip up a stylish look. Ornaments don’t have to be hanging on a tree either! You can put some in a dish on your coffee table or dining table, or you could layer some ornaments in and oversized vase for and interesting visual piece.

Go small: On the flip side of the coin, miniature Christmas trees are really stylish this season. Potted Christmas plants in lieu of, or in addition to the giant fir is a new way to celebrate. They fit into that minimalist aesthetic while saving plenty of space for more holiday-inspired decor. Mini Christmas trees are also a perfect addition to any little one’s bedroom. Their own personal tree will keep the excitement high as they count the days down until Santa visits.

Charlie Brown tree: The classic holiday special has definitely left its mark. This year, especially, you can see these little scrounge-y trees are doing the best they can to hold up your ornaments. So keep them simple — and light, so not to weigh the branches down too badly.

There are so many ways to decorate to embrace the holidays this season, but ultimately, that’s not what it’s about. ‘Tis the season for fun, family and festivities! Let’s keep that in mind and enjoy some quality time with our friends and loved ones this season!

The post Deck the Halls with these Holiday Trends first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.