Dark Evenings. Cold Days. How to Make a Home Warm and Inviting in Fall and Winter.

As the weather turns colder and the days shorter, many people tend to go inside and hibernate. So, how do we make a house feel warm and inviting enough for potential buyers and agents to come out, see it and hopefully, make an offer? Here are a few tips....

1. Use a for sale sign with a solar light. A solar light will keep a sign illuminated for up to 6 hours after dark. This will bring the property to the attention of potential buyers and also make it easy for showing agents to find.

2. Wash the windows. You want every spec of sunlight to be able to shine through.

3. Keep the lights on - inside and out. Upgade lights to the maximum wattage permitted by the manufacturer.

4. Keep the yard raked and, if possible, put seasonal flowers out (such as pansies). This will give the feeling of warmth and add color.

5. Turn the heat on if it's cold. A cold house is just that.....cold!

6. If you are going to use scents in your home (such as potpourri, plug-ins, etc.), stay away from vanilla or perfumed scents and go for warm scents such as apples or cinnamon instead.

7. Don't overdo holiday decorations - this is not the year to be the Griswolds. The simpler...the better. Remember, not every buyer may celebrate the holiday you do or even celebrate the season....keeping on the side of neutrality is always better. Adding a Christmas tree can make a room feel cluttered and small - maybe go for a tabletop tree instead.

8. Celebrate the holidays elsewhere. While your home is on the market, you do not need the added stress of trying to bake, set-up guest beds, etc. and a potential buyer will feel uncomfortable in your home if they walk-in to a house full of guests.

9. Once the holidays are over, clean up! A house with old decorations and opened presents feels tired and used.

10. Don't bring in all of your outdoor furniture. Keeping it clean and arranged nicely on a deck or porch can offer a sense of warmth. Some sellers will even keep their pool open throughout the winter.

11. If you must use your wood-burning fireplace, please....keep it clean! And, if you have a gas fireplace, make sure it works and doesn't have any cobwebs in it! The excuse, "we've never used the fireplace" doesn't work.

Tina in Virginia