While it is a little tougher to sell houses during the winter, it is not impossible. The key to selling homes during the winter is to make sure that the house is inviting to buyers and looks appropriate for the season. Here are some tips from veteran real estate agents to make your winter open house more successful:

Make the House Look Welcoming

Pull out all the stops to make the house look welcoming to potential buyers. Make sure that all the paths and the driveway are clear of snow and well salted so that they are not slippery. Add a festive wreath or other decorations to the front of the house. Put some solar lights on the path to the door so that the path is easy to see. Holiday decorations and lights are a nice festive touch.

Make Sure the House Is Warm Enough

It is cold outside to make sure that it’s cozy and warm inside. Set the heat to at least 70 degrees so that people will want to take off their coats and spend some time in the house. If it’s a particularly cold day or if the house has drafts you might want to turn the heat up to about 72 degrees so that the entire house will be warm when the buyers are walking around the house.

If the home has a fireplace make sure that there is a roaring fire. That will add to the warmth of the home and show buyers that the fireplace is fully functional.

Decorate For the Holidays

Potential buyers will be thinking about how the house will be for entertaining and having family holidays. So play up the holiday theme. Add a decorated Christmas tree in the living room with lots of lights. Set up a dining table and chairs in the dining room and set the table for a holiday dinner. Add holiday themed throws and pillows around the house. And use holiday-themed mugs for offering coffee and tea and hot chocolate.

Get the Oven Going

Nothing says holidays like the smell of holiday cookies or pies baking. Bake a batch of sugar cookies or heat up a pumpkin or apple pie in the oven so that potential buyers are greeted with warm and familiar holiday scents like cinnamon and vanilla when they walk in the door. That will make the house instantly feel like home and make buyers visualize what it would be like to host their own holiday gatherings in the home.

Play Festive Music

Background music should be kept low, but it can definitely help the mood in the home. Play seasonal carols or light classical music to welcome buyers and encourage them to stay and look through the house.