Selling a house during winter comes with its own unique challenges. Snow, for one, can bury your home's best features. Your normally lush landscaping may look drab and lifeless. And truth be told, all you want to do is cozy up at home rather than welcome buyers through your door.

Still, if you're game to sell during winter, it's essential that you put on your snow pants and put some effort into making your house shine. To help, here are some classic mistakes to avoid once the temperature drops, and why they can make such a difference. Just avoid making these all-too-common winter-selling fumbles in order to get top dollar.

  

By Jamie Wiebe, Realtor.com

Mistake No. 1: Setting down the shovel

You cleared off enough of the driveway for your car, but potential buyers won't be entering through the garage like you do.

"Blazing a path through 3 feet of virgin snow makes a lousy first impression," says John Engel, a Realtor® with Halstead Properties, in New Canaan, CT.

Don't put away your snow shovel until you've cleared a path to your front door. Or save your poor back by hiring a snow removal company to keep your paths walkable.

"Not only does it make it more inviting for buyers, but it avoids potential safety and liability concerns," says Massachusetts Realtor John Ternullo. 

Mistake No. 2: Giving in to the winter blahs

Gray skies and barren trees make winter a particularly depressing time to sell. But you don't have to let your home look as doleful as the weather.

"Pops of color by the entryway, like a seasonal wreath and topiaries, can add some interest to the front entrance as well as make it more inviting," Ternullo says.

And don't wait until buyers schedule showings to add some life: Colorful curb appeal transforms your listing photos from drab to dramatic.

Mistake No. 3: Not scrubbing your windows

Colder temps have robbed your trees of their leaves, leaving your home to look a bit sadder in winter's wake. But that's not the only problem. Those full trees previously shielded your home from direct sunlight. And now that it's pouring in your windows, potential buyers will be able to see everything. 

Scuffs, fingerprints, and streaks are "never more apparent" than in the wintertime, Engel says, so you should make sure you're vigilant about keeping windows clean. Alone, that grime might not be enough to turn off a potential buyer, but it might make them wonder what other details you've missed.

Mistake No. 4: Displaying outdated summer photos

Your Tudor looks particularly glorious in the summer, but if your only listing photos were taken in April, buyers will immediately suspect a problem.

"Nothing says 'old, tired listing' more than the photo you took nine months ago," Engel says. Talk to your Realtor about taking new photos that make your home look festive and seasonal. Feel free to keep older photos in the listing—your buyers might want to know what the home looks like when the gardens are in full bloom—but updated photos will make your listing seem fresh.

Mistake No. 5: Turning down the heat

"Frugality is great, but not when you're trying to sell real estate for top dollar," says Brian Davis, a real estate investor and co-founder of SparkRental.com.

Turn the heat up before you leave for showings, your utility bill be damned. Stick to 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to keep everyone comfy.

"It will make the house feel homier and more welcoming," Davis says. "It also gives the impression that the house is energy-efficient and well-insulated."

Mistake No. 6: Denying access

It's New Year's Eve and a buyer wants to stop by. How dare they! Shouldn't they assume you have a fabulous party to prepare for?

Maybe. But if you want to sell your home in the off-season, the buyer has to come first. You'll need to work with your Realtor to devise a strategy for squeezing in showings, even in between all of winter's holiday events and family gatherings.

"While it may be inconvenient, it's crucial not to deny showings, as that could be a missed opportunity," Ternullo says. "There may be less buyers compared to spring, but winter buyers tend to be serious."

Mistake No. 7: Leaving out your draft stoppers

Your hand-knit draft stopper might look adorable snuggled against your door, but it "sends a clear message to buyers," Davis says. "This house is drafty and loses heat easily."

Not that you should lie. But every home has hidden problems, and it's best to let the buyers make their own assessments and discoveries during the inspection period. Don't leave out little things that could sway their decision.