This Valentine’s Day I was showing houses to a couple who is selling their home in Havertown, PA, Delaware County, and interested in buying a home in West Chester, PA, Chester County.  I took the couple for a second showing to a house they were very interested in putting in an offer on.  Unfortunately, the homeowners did not plow their driveway or clear the sidewalks leading to the house.  Fortunately, for the couple and myself, we came prepared with our snow boots in case an incident like this happened.  Once we finally made the trek up through the snow and entered the house the owners had already vacated the home and left it unfurnished and un-staged.  Seeing the home as a blank canvas left the couple unimpressed and totally turned off.  This home was once a frontrunner for the couple, but after today’s unpleasant experience they crossed it off the list.

So, the lesson learned from this experience is for home-sellers.  If you are selling your home during the winter make sure the driveway is plowed, the walkways shoveled, and your home looks appealing in the snow.  Potential buyers do not want to imagine how hard it may be to keep nice in the winter weather.  For all home-sellers, even if your home is vacant, make sure you keep it staged to increase its appeal.