What's makes selling a home more stressful? Selling it in the middle of winter.

The lawn is brown, the weather is usually bad and, unlike the longer days of summer, you have less time to show it off during daylight hours.

But not everyone has the luxury of waiting until the traditional spring or summer home buying season to plant that "for sale" sign, and while it's true that in most areas you'll probably have fewer buyers during the winter, you also will have less competition from other sellers.

That makes staging -- showing your house at its best -- even more important. Be prepared to put a little effort into it.

"It's more difficult to make something look really appealing this time of year," says Ron Phipps, broker with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I.

Here are some tips from Realtors:

• Keep snow and ice at bay. If the buyer can't get in easily, the house won't sell. That means keeping walkways and driveways free of the frozen stuff. Just like trimming the lawn in the summer, you want to make the home look like it's been maintained. If you're away frequently or live in an area that's subject to bad weather, it can pay to hire a service to regularly salt or shovel the driveway and sidewalks.

• Warm it up. If you're showing during the winter, think "warm, cozy and homey," says Ken Libby, owner of Stowe Realty in Stowe, Vt., and a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors. Before a buyer comes through, adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature to make it welcoming.

"Sellers like to turn the temperature down because of heat costs," says David Ledebuhr, president and owner of Musselman Realty in East Lansing, Mich., and a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors. "But buyers who come in and aren't comfortable won't stay long."

If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before the tour can give the house "a little ambience," says Mr. Libby.

With a wood-burning fireplace, you've got to be a little more careful. If the house is vacant, don't chance it. If you're still living there and will be there during the tour, it can be a nice touch.

• Take advantage of natural light. "Encourage showing during the high-daylight hours," says Mr. Ledebuhr. At this time of year, "if you show after work, you're totally in the dark."

Make the most of the light you do have. Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate. Before you show the house, turn on all the lights.

• Get the windows washed. "Buyers act on the first impression," says Mr. Ledebuhr. Windows are one thing that many sellers don't even consider. In winter that strong southern light can reveal grime and make it look like the home hasn't been well-maintained.

• Make it festive. Even if you're not actually going to be present, greet your buyers as if they were going to be guests at a party, says Mr. Phipps. Set the dinner table with the good china and silver. Have a plate of cookies for your guests, some warm cider or even chilled bottles of water.

• Give the home a nice aroma. The No. 1 favorite? "Chocolate chip cookies," says Mr. Libby. "Just about everybody likes that smell."

Other popular scents: cinnamon rolls, freshly baked bread, apple pie, apple cider or anything with vanilla, cinnamon or yeast.

"But don't overdo it, either," says Mr. Ledebuhr. Scented candles in every room or those plug-in air fresheners can leave buyers wondering what you're trying to mask.

Watch the bad smells, too. Pet smells, smoke and musty odors can cling to curtains and carpets. Ask your real estate agent or a friend to give it a sniff test. Then clean the house, air it out and replace drapes, carpets or rugs before you show it.

• Protect your investment. Some sellers (or their agents) will ask buyers to either remove shoes or slip on paper "booties" over their footwear before touring the house. Many buyers like that, says Mr. Phipps. It indicates a "pride of ownership and meticulousness that resonates with buyers," he says.