Selling your home during the holidays can actually be a huge advantage if your exterior makes the right first impression. While many sellers wait until spring, winter buyers are often more serious, more motivated, and ready to move quickly. The key is creating warm, inviting curb appeal that still feels clean, timeless, and seasonally appropriate.
According to Realtor.com, homes with strong curb appeal can sell for an average of 7% more than similar homes with a neglected exterior
Here are the best 7 curb appeal tips to help your home shine and attract qualified buyers fast this holiday season.
1. Create a Warm, Inviting Front Entry
Winter days are shorter, which means your front entry needs to feel intentionally welcoming. Think clean, simple, and seasonally fresh.
Add:
- A neutral wreath or fresh greenery
- A clean, new welcome mat
- Warm-toned lanterns or subtle string lights
HGTV recommends using natural greenery and understated holiday décor to appeal to a wide range of buyers
Keep it elegant by avoiding inflatables or loud themed décor that distract from your home’s architecture.
2. Refresh Landscaping for the Season
Even in winter, landscaping plays a major role in first impressions. Focus on tidy, low-maintenance updates buyers will notice right away.
Try:
- Fresh mulch
- Trimmed shrubs
- Clean-edged walkways
- Seasonal flowers like pansies or winter kale
According to the National Association of Realtors, simple landscaping updates rank among the highest-ROI exterior projects.
3. Add Winter-Friendly Planters
Potted greenery instantly warms up a winter exterior, even in Florida’s milder climate.
Consider:
- Potted evergreens
- Cypress or rosemary trees
- White-toned planters for a clean, modern look
Better Homes & Gardens suggests pairing greenery with natural elements (like pinecones or eucalyptus) for subtle holiday charm.
4. Use Outdoor Lighting to Create Cozy Evening Appeal
With earlier sunsets, your home must look just as inviting at 5 PM as it does at noon. Lighting increases warmth and safety.
Ways to elevate your exterior:
- Replace old bulbs with warm LEDs
- Add pathway stake lights
- Highlight key architectural features with uplights
- Accent trees or shrubs with minimal strands of twinkle lights
A study by HomeLight shows that well-placed outdoor lighting significantly increases buyer perception of home value.
5. Keep Driveways & Walkways Spotless
Nothing turns buyers off faster than a cluttered, dirty, or unsafe entry path.
Make sure to:
- Pressure wash driveways
- Clear leaves and debris
- Remove seasonal clutter (storage bins, old décor, gardening tools)
- Touch up paint on railings or trim
Clean, well-maintained paths signal to buyers that your home has been thoughtfully cared for.
6. Add Subtle Holiday Touches — But Don’t Overdo It
Holiday décor should enhance, not overwhelm.
Stick with:
- Soft greenery
- Metallics or neutral décor
- A single wreath or garland
- Warm-toned white lighting
Zillow advises avoiding highly personalized or themed decorations, as they can make it harder for buyers to envision themselves in the space.
7. Stage Your Exterior for Online Photos First
Holiday buyers browse on their phones, often while traveling or juggling seasonal plans. So your exterior must photograph beautifully.
Before photos:
- Declutter porches and patios
- Sweep walkways
- Photograph during daylight or golden hour
- Add a simple seating vignette if space allows
A study from Redfin found that homes with high-quality listing photos can sell up to 32% faster.
Final Thoughts
Selling in winter isn’t a disadvantage; it’s an opportunity. With the right curb appeal strategy, your home can stand out as a warm, inviting escape from the holiday rush. Winter buyers are serious, motivated, and ready to act quickly, so every exterior detail matters.
At Diamond Real Estate Group, we help sellers elevate their homes with expert staging, design guidance, and strategic marketing. Ready to make your listing shine this holiday season? Our team is here to help.
📲 Call or text 407-797-2931
📧 Email tiphany@dregorlando.com
🌐 Visit www.dregorlando.com to start your home-selling journey.
Meet Tiphany
Orlando Real Estate Pro
Buying a home is one of the most important purchases one can make, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. I’m Tiphany Weeks, the founder and broker of record for Diamond Real Estate Group. While traveling the world as a baseball wife we moved around a lot; and it wasn’t always easy. I realized the search to find a realtor that knows exactly what you need can be a very daunting task, so I decided it was time to create a new solution for helping people find their way home.
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