I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family here on Chicago’s North Shore! With the largest feast of the year and the busiest shopping day behind us, many of us are beginning to decorate our North Shore homes for the holidays to make our homes as warm, inviting and as full of holiday cheer as possible.
Many of you who are planning on hosting parties and guests during the next month may be wondering how to make sure the exterior of your home is just as inviting as the interior. With the possibility of a blanket of snow, along with grey skies and bare trees as a backdrop; it’s important to not forget about your homes’ winter curb appeal.
In fact, for those of you trying to sell your North Shore home this winter; creating great curb appeal is especially important for that lasting first impression. Whether you’re hosting friends and family, or hoping to get your North Shore home sold this winter; here are a few tips for making your home feel well maintained and welcoming from the moment people drive up to your North Shore home!
1. Safety- You may have friends and family planning to visit soon, so you’ll want to put safety first! Be sure your driveway, sidewalk and front porch are cleared of debris or any snow. It’s always better to be on the cautious side and put down salt, as even rain can freeze and make walking up to your home dangerous.
2. Tasteful Decorations- While you can have fun with the season’s bright lights and characters of Christmas, it can be easy for some to get carried away. Try small white lights around your homes’ bushes or front porch post, a simple wreath and garland to enhance your home’s appearance without being too distracting.
3. Fresh Paint- Your North Shore home is more visible in the winter months as trees are free from their leaves and your home’s condition is more exposed. Touching up chipped or faded paint is a great way to help your North Shore home look refreshed.
4. A Neat Lawn- Whether there is snow covering your lawn or not; be sure to keep your lawn free from any leaves, twigs, etc… that may have blown through with the harsher winds. Just because your lawn is not expected to be as lush as the summer months, doesn’t mean to ignore the state of your lawn. Keeping it cleaned up will show that you care.
5. Clean Gutters- It’s not too late to make sure your gutters are free from leaves and other debris. You’ll want these cleared so that melting snow or rain can easily run through the gutters and not cause damage.
6. Lighting- The use of lights can really make your home stand out with the shorter winter days. Since there is more time without the suns light, using a variety of lighting can give your home a warm glow. Indoor window lights in each room provides a nice appeal, while lights along the pathway up to your home, a bright porch light and tasteful Christmas lights are all ways in which to enhance your North Shore homes’ curb appeal.
7. Cold Weather Plants- Hearty plants and Evergreen trees can withstand the winter months while adding visual appeal to the outside of your home. Evergreen Holly will add a splash of color with its red berries and can stand up to the cold weather.
As a North Shore Real Estate agent, I want to help you make your home as inviting as possible for guests or buyers! My job revolves around more than just the North Shore Real Estate market, but is about providing a full service approach to past, present and future clients!
If you are hoping to sell your North Shore home this winter season and would like to discuss your needs and what we can do to get your home sold; please contact me! I would be happy to guide you through each step of preparing and selling your home.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
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