Usually, the day after Thanksgiving is when the Christmas music starts playing, and holiday décor comes down from the attic and out of storage units. If you’re selling your home you may be wondering whether or not you should deck the halls for the holidays, but we’re here to clear up any questions!
Yes, decorate for the holidays! But be careful not to overdo it. Clutter can easily make rooms look smaller and hide key features.
Put yourself in the buyers place for a few moments. If you were looking at a home you are interested in, you want it to feel warm, inviting and, during the season, festive.
So set the fireplace ablaze if it’s chilly outside, have a holiday candle going (or light room spray) like apple cider, evergreen or cinnamon, or even cookies freshly baked.
DO have lights on the roof outside. DON’T have lights on the grass, every bush, tree, and lining the walkway. DON’T put out all of your religious items, and avoid putting up a lot of personal items.
“Potential buyers need to be able to visualize themselves in the home,” Taylor Brocail, Realtor and Listing Coordinator, said. “You don’t want them to be too busy looking at all of the decorations or personal items.”
Try to keep it classic. Giant blow up inflatables in the yard and tinsel everywhere inside may overwhelm buyers and they can easily cover up too much of the home’s own personal charm.
“Buyers need to be able to detach the home from the current owners, or it will feel like the house isn’t for them,” Brocail said. “They need to see themselves there with their own things, décor and holiday traditions.”
The little things: like hiding exposed wires and cords, making sure the home is uncluttered and not too busy, and of course neat and festive can certainly help sell your home. Let the holidays and your home be merry and bright, but not overdone and overwhelming.