Selling your home during the holidays begs the question of if you should take the time to decorate it; the simple answer to this question is Yes, you should still decorate your home even if you end up having to pack everything up. The holidays are a special time of year and you can still celebrate the season while your home is on the market. Now let's examine why you should decorate your home in further detail:
Festive Homes Are Inviting
There is something about holiday lights and decor that brings people back to the magical days of their childhood. As long as you do not go overboard and detract from the curb appeal of your home, making it festive can entice eager buyers to stop in and check it out, potentially leading to the greater chance of receiving an offer.
Holiday decor makes homes feel cozy and inviting. When buyers step into your home, they want to imagine themselves living there and the holiday season presents a unique opportunity to assist them in imagining what it will feel like to live in your home celebrating with their friends and family. The key to decorating for the holidays when you are in the midst of selling your home is to keep the decorations simple and make sure they coordinate with the overall look of the home. A properly staged home will sell quicker than a cluttered home.
Buyers Expect to See Holiday Decorations
Perception is everything, and your lack of decorations could be a turn-off to potential buyers. If all of the other homes in the neighborhood are decorated and full of holiday joy, and yours is not, it could make you look like The Grinch, and buyers may think twice before making a deal with you. When buyers tour homes during the holiday season, they expect to see beautiful decorations that appeal to their eyes and highlight the wonderful features of the home. If you specific religion does not observe the holiday season, be sure to speak to your real estate agent for recommendations on what to do.
Buyers Like to Make a Connection
Whether you prefer a modern style or like to go the traditional route, your holiday decorations will help potential buyers make a connection with you. Believe it or not, when a buyer is touring your home, they do take the time to gaze at your furnishings and decor to learn more about who they might be buying from. Well thought out decorations could help they buyer make a personal connection with you and in turn get your home sold. Purchasing a home is just as much about emotional connections as it is the layout of the home.
Do's and Don'ts of Decorating Your Home for the Holidays When it is on the Market
- Do keep the decorations simple and ensure they enhance the special features of your home.
- Don't put out decorations with specific religious themes so not to detract buyers of other religions.
- Don't decorate with personalized decorations (like the kind your kids make you each year).
- Do use warm scents like cinnamon, peppermint, pumpkin, pine, and apple to make your home feel more cozy.
- Do ensure your decorations look clean and keep your home from looking clutter.
- Don't use large decorations or put up a Christmas tree that will make your space feel smaller.
- Do complete a deep cleaning of your home before decorating and make sure to dust off and clean your decorations as well.
- Do check out our guide Decorating safety tips for the holidays to make your home safe for potential buyers and those living in your home.
While it may feel like it is just more work to decorate your home for the holidays knowing that you may be moving out before the they are over, decorating your home may actually make it sell faster. It is about invoking a sense of joy and happiness in the buyer and making them feel as though they are already home when they walk through the front door. At RealManage, we offer full-service support to HOA management and homeowners to ensure your community is the place people want to call home. Whether you need home staging advice or have more complex home related questions, contact us today so we can help!
Guest Blogger
Jennifer Harvey
