The housing market doesn’t come to a standstill during the holidays. In fact, we’ve found that December is actually a great month to sell your home. Although, selling your home through the holiday season can come with a few additional things you should consider. In addition to all of the regular things you need to do to prepare your home to sell quickly, like cleaning, depersonalizing and decluttering, you will also need to consider whether or not to decorate for the holiday season.
We think that the holidays are a perfect time to showcase the warmth and character of your home to prospective buyers. We don't think that you need to avoid decorating altogether, but that you should follow some simple tips to ensure your house looks it’s best for prospective buyers.
Here are some tips for decorating for the holidays when you are preparing to sell:
Less is More
Follow the “less is more” theory when it comes to decorating this season. Too many decorations can be overwhelming and distracting. Minimizing the amount of decorations you use will make your home feel more spacious and inviting.
If your space is full of clutter and decorations, prospective buyers will have a hard time seeing past it and envisioning your home as their own.
This is true on the exterior of your home as well. Holiday decorations are a fantastic way to add curb appeal and pleasantly welcome your potential buyers. Just try to avoid embracing your inner Clark Griswold. Too many flashing lights and large ornaments might be fun and playful, but they may distract or turn off a potential buyer.
Think smaller
You need to be very thoughtful about the size of decorations you use. For each item, be honest with yourself and ask whether it helps to showcase the space or actually detracts from the room's best features.
Your overall goal is to add some festive cheer and warmth to the space without detracting from the main features of your home. This might mean that you tone down the size of your christmas tree. Large trees and decorations, while festive, may make the room look smaller. Choose an oversized tree only if you have a really large room.
Go neutral or coordinate colors
You want every room of your home to be as appealing as possible to prospective buyers. So, if your favorite holiday decorations clash with the existing colors in your room, think twice about using those decorations this year.
Consider using neutral tones and metallics, such as gold, silver, copper, white or cream. These colors compliment almost every existing decor and is a great way to add class and charm. Think about replacing any multicolored tree lights with white lights for a more neutral and elegant feel. If you are still planning to use the traditional red and green tones, try using more red than green - scientifically, red is emotionally, a more appealing color.
Don’t make it too personal
When preparing your home to sell, you need to keep in mind that buyers want to be able to walk into your home and easily envision themselves, and their belongings, in the space. This means that your holiday decorations shouldn’t be overly personal.
Keep your decorations secular to avoid putting off potential homebuyers of different religions. Avoid displaying family photos, heirlooms and kids' crafts. Stick to more generic holiday decor, and try to create an overall festive ambiance. A good trick is to simmer some apple cider on the stove or bake some holiday cookies before your showing.
In conclusion, we believe that you can still enjoy decorating this home for the holidays even when you're preparing to sell. If you strike the right balance, and follow the tips we outlined above, your home will radiate warmth and charm that will appeal to potential buyers and help them to imagine living there. Enjoy what may be your last holiday season in your home.
Happy holidays!
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