How Do I Keep My House Ready for Showings When It Snows?

Keep a clear, salted path from the street to your front door, and give buyers a warm, bright spot inside to take off wet shoes. Line up someone to clear the snow before the first storm, so showings keep going even when you are not home.

I am Delia Bayna, a REALTOR with eXp Realty in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Snow does not stop buyers here. Here is the snow routine I would set up before the first storm.

A buyer's first steps on your property tell them a lot. If the walk is icy, they arrive worried. If it is clear, they arrive ready to like the house.

• Shovel the driveway, the walk, and the front steps all the way down to the pavement.
• Put down ice melt after you shovel, and again before dark, when the melted snow can freeze.
• Keep a clear path to the front door and the lockbox, so the buyer's agent is not digging to get in.
• Brush the snow off the house numbers and the porch light.
• Look up. Icicles over the front door should come down, but only if someone can reach them safely from the ground.

If you have pups, ask at the hardware store for an ice melt that is easier on paws and on concrete.

The hardest part of a winter listing is the storm that comes while you are away. A showing request comes in at noon, and the walk you cleared at seven is covered again.

Before the first big storm, line up help. A neighbor, a grandchild, or a snow removal company can all work. Agree on the details ahead of time: what they clear, how soon after a storm they come, and how to reach them. If you will be away for the holidays, set this up before you leave.

Keep a shovel and a bucket of ice melt just inside the garage or by the front door, so whoever comes to help does not have to hunt for them.

In winter, the front entry does the job the porch does in summer. It is where buyers stop, stamp off the snow, and get their first look at the inside.

• Lay a sturdy mat outside the door and a washable rug inside.
• Set out a boot tray and a bench or chair, so buyers can sit down to take off boots.
• Move your own coats and boots off the hooks, so there is room for theirs.
• Wipe up melted snow after each showing, so the next buyer does not step in a puddle.

Wet boots and damp coats can leave a smell. Let yours dry in the garage or a back room instead of the entry.

Buyers notice a cold room right away. Keep the furnace at a normal living temperature while you are out, even if it costs a little more for a few weeks. A chilly house makes buyers wonder about the furnace and the windows, and they start thinking about bills instead of the home.

Light matters just as much. Open every blind in the morning, and put a few lamps on timers, so the house glows when buyers arrive after work. Replace dead bulbs, especially in the basement, which is often the darkest part of a Salt Lake City home in winter.

Turn off a gas fireplace before you leave. A cozy fire is nice when you are home, but never leave one running for a showing.

Houses here collect winter gear: shovels, sleds, ski boots, and bags of salt. Give it all one corner of the garage, neatly stacked. Buyers open the garage, and a tidy one tells them there is room for their things too.

Put away the hoses and summer tools now if they are still out. Make sure the sprinklers were blown out before the hard freeze, because a buyer may ask.

Write your snow plan down before your house goes live: who shovels, how soon after a storm, and how to reach them. Tape it inside a kitchen cabinet. Then do the same short routine every storm, so it becomes a habit instead of a scramble.

I spent eighteen years teaching, and I learned that a simple routine done every day beats one big push. I call and email every seller every Friday, whether there is news or not, so you are never left wondering how the showings went. For the rest of the daily routine, read how showings work when you still live in your house. If you are still deciding on timing, start with whether to sell in winter or wait for spring.

You can also read more about selling a home in Salt Lake City, or see how I plan a move to something smaller on my downsizing page.

Do buyers really look at houses when it snows?

Yes. Buyers in Salt Lake City tour homes all winter. A clear path and a warm house help them think about the home instead of the weather.

Can I move a showing because of a storm?

You can ask for a different time if the roads or the walks are not safe. Safety comes first for everyone.

Who clears the snow if I am away?

Line up a neighbor, a family member, or a snow removal company before the first storm, and agree on how soon they will come.

What temperature should I keep the house during showings?

A normal living temperature, the same one you keep when you are home. A cold house sends the wrong message.

This article is general information about showing a home in Salt Lake City and is not legal advice. Your listing agreement and your agent's showing service set how showing requests work for your home.