If your home will be for sale this winter, it is important to master certain seasonal issues that are less significant or even non-existent at other times of the year. Here are 10 tips that can help put a “Sold” sticker on that yard sign.

1 - Let Those Lights Shine: The best way to combat winter’s short and frequently cloudy days is to turn on your house lights. For a showing, every single light in the house must be on, even in the closets and utility/mechanical rooms. Make sure all the bulbs are working, and stock up on all the right bulbs for lamps and fixtures so burned out bulbs can be replaced immediately,

2 - Provide Convenient Parking: It’s vital that buyers have a convenient place to park. They won’t want to walk very far in cold weather or be forced to climb over a snow bank to exit their vehicle. Because parking is often more restricted around condominiums, sellers should make sure their agent can pass along parking details to buyers.

3 - Keep Odors Under Control: Any home tends to be stuffy in winter when windows are opened rarely. That can allow odors to build up, which can be a turn-off to buyers.

4 - Cultivate a Festive Look: Appropriate decorations for the various winter holidays help give a home a cheerful look during the winter months.

5 - Don’t Ignore the Outdoors: Make a good first impression on buyers with a neatly maintained yard. Walks and steps should be kept clear, especially of snow and ice.

6 - Look after Condo Common Areas:

7 - Don’t Roast Buyers:  Keep the temperature at a comfortable 65 degrees for all showings. Buyers will be wearing their coats!

8 - Keep Seasonal Clothing under Control - put anything that is not needed into storage

9 -Encourage Day Time Showings: A home shows to its best advantage during daylight hours

10 - Buyers out looking at homes in December or January are, as a group, quite serious about buying. So extra care at this time of year can be extra producctive!