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Selling Your Home at Christmas? DO NOT do this!


Blog by Elysse Bulloch | December 7th, 2015


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People who are selling their homes at Christmas need to keep their potential buyers in mind. It can be hard to strike a balance between presenting your listing at its best and maintaining some sense of your personal traditions when selling during the holidays. That includes the way you decorate your house.

Professional staging tip? DO NOT do this!

All kidding aside, curb appeal always matters, including over the holiday season. While this particular photo was taken of a house that was not for sale, I have seen plenty of others in the past that were decorated to the max and still had that for sale sign on the front lawn.

As festive as lights and decorations are, they can be a distraction - and even a deterrent - for potential buyers who may have trouble seeing past them to notice the features of your home.

So the best choice is to tone it down this year if you’re selling your home at Christmas.

  • Simplify – Ditch the lawn ornaments, characters, and inflatables. Choose white lights plus one colour if you prefer. Keep it minimal and elegant yet welcoming.
  • Focus on the front door – Hang a lighted wreath. Shine a spotlight or hang lights around the door frame. Stand at the road and look at your home to ensure that your eyes get quickly drawn to the front door.
  • Get real – There’s something welcoming and homey about fresh greenery and live plants so it makes sense to use them when you’re selling your home at Christmas. Use these materials in your wreath, garlands, and planters at the entrance and to highlight key features outside.

Next year, when you’re in your new home, you can go back to your normal holiday decorating routine. If you have young children, explain the situation, ask them to help, and reassure them that Santa will still find them!

Want more real estate staging tips? Follow Simply Stylish Staging @ElysseB on Twitter!