Selling Your Home During the Holidays...

Although, December is not typically known as the optimal time to list your home, don't let that dampen your spirits as the real estate market does not screech to a grinding halt.  In fact, there are some distinct advantages to listing your month during the holidays. There are fewer homes actively being marketed which makes the competition less fierce and the buyers out there at this time tend to be much more serious.  In fact, since holidays typically tend to be the time we keep our home the tidiest and looking its best for our holiday visitors anyway, this may be the best time to list your home.  I would like to also point out that although you may find yourself listing your home during the holidays, that does not necessarily mean you are moving during the holidays.  Possession dates can be established well after the holiday is over. 

One of the questions most often asked when listing your home during the holidays is "Do I deck the halls, or not?"

The answer is...

Yes, of course you do...but only with a very light and discerning hand.

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your home to it's fullest, so go ahead an make it warm, inviting and festive.

Follow these simple tips and you will surely create an emotional connection between your home and the buyer:

Clean and stage your home appropriately BEFORE you roll out the decorations. 

Determine where you will be placing your holiday decorations and pack up your year round trinkets and decorations to make room for the holiday decorations.   Maintaining a clutter-free interior is still a priority.

Don't go overboard.  Less is more in this instance.  Holiday decorations should enhance your home, not distract from it.  Keep floor space open.  Do not block pathways or pleasing views.

Try to complement your home's colour palette and style.  Try to stick to 2-3 main colours when choosing your holiday decorations.

Stay diverse and keep the overtly religious decor in storage this year. Remember, you want your home to appeal to the majority of buyers, not just one specific group.

If you are putting up a tree, don't let it crowd the room.  You may want to remove some furniture so that it fits comfortably.  And hey, this may be the year you try wrapping all your presents in one or two coordinating papers (I know you've thought of doing this in previous years).  And while we are on presents...keep them under the tree, not sprawling into the room.

When decorating your fireplace mantle or banister, be sure that you keep it simple.  Do not hide your home's best features behind the holiday adornments.  Use your holiday decorations to enhance and draw the buyers eyes to your home's special features.

Replace your conventional candles with battery operated ones.  Safety shouldn't be compromised in order to create a cozy ambiance.

Do not hang garland, tinsel or any decorations from the ceiling or walls and avoid placing holiday stickers on your windows.  It's distracting for the buyer.  It makes rooms feel smaller and ceilings appear lower. 

I hesitate to say this, but now is not the time to be energy wise.  Turn the thermostat up and at a comfortable setting during the day so your buyers not only see the warmth of your home...they feel it as they enter on a cold and chilly winter day.

And while we are on it, engage the buyers' other senses too.  Simmer a pot of apple cider adorned with cinnamon sticks at your open house.

Make your home stand out every evening with a simple string of white exterior lights.  Ensure they are in good working order and hung neatly.  

Hanging a real wreath on the exterior front door and tucking evergreen boughs in your window boxes are both very welcoming touches.

There really is just one rule to keep in mind when decorating and staging your listed home for the holidays...

Keep it simple 

Buyers are buying your house, not your stuff.

We want this...

Not that...

Your decorating mantra this season?

Thoughtfully edited, neutrally pretty, yet decidedly festive.

Keep in mind, the reasoning behind it and remember that it is only one Christmas where you will have to feel somewhat limited and deprived.  Next year, when you are in your new home, go nuts!!

I'm here for YOU.

~Ciao