The holidays are fast approaching, and if you happen to be selling your home, there are some important ideas to keep in mind.
Before you go all out with the tinsel and lights, here are some useful tips and suggestions for homeowners to gain an extra selling edge during the holiday season.
DO: Keep the holiday decorations simple
Decorating one’s home for the holiday is something that savvy sellers should be mindful of when listing their property for sale. And there are good reasons for it. One of the most important marketing tools when listing a house for sale is high quality photos, and holiday decorations add to visual clutter.
Additionally, the photos won’t age well if the home is still listed for sale into the spring months. So, save the inflatable snowman for next year and keep the decor tasteful and simple.
DO: Accentuate to sell
Display holiday decor strategically to accentuate your home’s best-selling features. Do you have a beautiful staircase? Hang garland along the railing. Or what about a stunning bay window? Display electric candles to light up the room.
DO: Keep up with winter landscaping
To boost curb appeal and give potential buyers a good impression of your home, take the opportunity to clean up fallen leaves and dead plants in the fall. Then, make sure your driveway, walkway and sidewalks stay shoveled or plowed in the winter. If you travel frequently or aren’t able to clear snow on your own, it’s worth it to pay a service to perform this duty for the time that your home is listed. It also makes for safe showings.
DO: Keep close tabs on your thermostat
During the winter season, it’s essential to keep an eye on your thermostat to ensure that the temperature inside your home is comfortable for potential buyers. Not only can a home that’s too hot or too cold be unwelcoming to buyers during showings; it may also lead them to believe there’s something wrong with the home’s HVAC system even if that’s not the case.
Don’t: Decorate until the home is staged
Let the holiday decor be a subtle complement to staging efforts, not the other way around. Before minimally decorating for the holidays, ensure the home is properly staged. Then, incorporate subtle nods to the holiday season.
Don’t: Ignore proportions
If displaying a tree is your tradition and you just can’t skip it, make sure its size is in proportion to the room. A large tree in the main living space may make the room appear smaller than it really is, so opt for a smaller decorative tree.
However, if you have tall ceilings or a two-story family room, a tall tree may positively accentuate the size of the room.
Don’t: Show a lifeless home
Winter showings are the perfect opportunity to help potential buyers envision themselves relaxing by the fire, enjoying a meal, or hosting a gathering. Arrange fresh evergreen on the mantle to highlight this focal point.
You can also set the mood with a simple inviting centerpiece on the dining room table and a spiced cider on the stove to help potential buyers envision their next holiday in the home.
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