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"Decorate or not?" - this is the question for Princeton real estate sellers

Are you a home seller in the Princeton area? With the Thanksgiving holidays over and your home on the market you may wonder if this year you should decorate for holidays.

You probably heard the advice of “keeping things neutral” and avoiding excessive display of religious items in your home, as it can turn prospective buyers off. I generally agree with this advice except for this one time of the year.

I think you should decorate for the holidays. I would still caution against “excessive” decorating. I would not suggest displaying big nativity scenes or huge menorahs in the front yard, but anything done tastefully – go ahead, have fun and do it.

Holiday Decorations Here are my reasons for seemingly contradicting myself. First reason is the most important – a home decorated for the holidays looks more appealing to the buyers regardless of their religion. Why? Because it allows them to imagine the lifestyle focused on family, warmth, giving and happiness. Don’t we all want to live in homes like that?

Secondly, it gives you a chance to focus on things that are important to you and as such reduce your stress related to home selling. Isn’t that a great double purpose reason?

Decorating your home now gives you a perfect opportunity to showcase it in it’s best light. Follow the lead of the magazines and make sure to display your home in all it’s holiday glory - retake the pictures and update them on the MLS and other marketing materials.

You have put a lot of effort into selling your home already – enjoy the holiday season, stay positive and decorate. Buyers looking for homes for sale in the Princeton area may be already picturing themselves in your home next season.

Please contact Faina Sechzer at 609-553-4175 when looking for real estate, homes for sale and/or listing your house to sell, and relocation assistance in Princeton, Montgomery Township, West Windsor, Hopewell, and Lawrenceville New Jersey. Referrals are accepted.
If you are moving out of the greater Princeton area, please inquire about the countrywide relocation program.

Copyright 2007 Faina Sechzer All rights reserved. This information cannot be copied, reproduced, transmitted, distributed, displayed or published.

Posted by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert on 11/27/2007 07:43 PM

Comments (18)

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18 Comments on "Decorate or not?" - this is the question for Princeton real estate sellers

Hi Faina,

I'm for decorating! It definitely adds warmth to a home and people buy on emotion after all.

11/27/2007 07:53 PM

by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)

My home is very small ...so we have small things...nevertheless...decorating.

11/27/2007 08:02 PM

by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman (RA), e-PRO HAWAII Real Estate & HAWAII Relocation (Century 21 Liberty Homes -Mililani, Hawaii)

That's an AWESOME post Faina! You're right! Some people think we sell sticks and bricks but what we actually sell is the idea of good memories and happy times. Now, don't forget to take all your listing pictures before the holidays because we don't want living room pictures with Christmas tree in MLS in February! :)

11/27/2007 08:13 PM

by Shannon Lefevre Naples, Florida CRS (John R. Wood REALTORS Inc.)

Although I am not into having religious icons for house showings, the less religious, very festive decor of Christmas and Channukah and all the other holidays at that time, make a house absolutely glow. This Long Island Realtor loves it!

Gail Gladstone, Long Island Realtor

11/27/2007 08:14 PM

by Gail Gladstone (Coldwell Banker)

Lisa - that is what helped me sell a house last Christmas. it was a challenging sale -the home didn't have a garage and a very small footprint from the front. But inside - it glowed. Sold it in 6 weeks.

11/27/2007 08:23 PM

by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert (Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty)

Sally -it doesn't matter if decorations are small - it's really all about emotions and the spirit. I am sure you enjoy every inch.

Shannon - I agree absolutely no Christmas pictures in February. In fact I tell sellers to pack holiday decorations soon after the holidays. Many agents don't think of retaking the pictures for different seasons.

11/27/2007 08:28 PM

by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert (Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty)

Faina, In general, Cleveland buyers would be a bit more tolerant of decorations...it's a fairly conservative place. But that doesn't apply to all neighborhoods or even price ranges. So I think it's true, don't over decorate. I mean, take advantage of the fact that you are moving and give yourself the benefit of not having to spend four days putting decorations away this year! lol

11/27/2007 08:45 PM

by Carole Cohen Realtor®, ePRO (Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office)

Faina- I totally agree with you. Decorating for the holidays is a good thing, it makes perspective home buyers feel good.

11/28/2007 12:12 AM

by Mark Horan P.A. "The Resident Chef" at Keller Williams (The Resident Team at Keller Williams At-The-Lakes)

Faini.... great points again. I agree with you and some others.... keep the religion aspect down a lot, but at least decorate with colors and such. I love this time of year and I can see that a decorated house would add to a sale of a home during this time of year.

I need to find a specific post that was done by a realtor, but I thought it was an awesome concept. It had to do with leaving a slide show on your lap top of your house from different times of the years,.... showing what your house looks like in different seasons. I thought this could be a great idea. I think snow can add so much to a house at times. Let me know if you want me to find this post.

11/28/2007 12:22 AM

by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)

Faina,
For sure, decorate. It showcases the home! I would add, have a teapot simmering with cinnamon sticks for a Christmas aroma.

11/28/2007 05:31 AM

by Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist (Kingsbridge Realty, Inc)

Carol - I agree on the not "over decorate". It applies to any time of the year. I can also see that in some neighborhoods it may not be appropriate. That's why having a trusted real estate agent is always helpful.

11/28/2007 07:53 AM

by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert (Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty)

Mark -thanks for your comment.

Cynthia - Great idea -I can smell those cinnamon sticks already. I would just be extra careful with smells -some people can be allergic to strange things and one never knows who may not care for a particular smell.

11/28/2007 07:56 AM

by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert (Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty)

Jeff - the idea with the laptop is interesting. I sometimes do it for the open house. I am not sure about leaving the laptop on -the seller then has to deal with the logistics. E-mail me if the info you are referring to is it's easy to find. Thanks.

11/28/2007 08:01 AM

by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert (Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty)

Faina, I agree with the others, a home that is tastefully decorated radiates a cared for and happy place. With the holidays it is wonderful to bring more life into your home with some lovely decorations.

11/28/2007 03:33 PM

by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City)

Faina- I am all for decorating! Both the Menorahs and the Nativity scenes are very acceptable here in our market. Actually, it is almost expected. We even have a decorating contest of all of our listings. We are not doing it this year, but in years past it was a lot of fun! Katerina

11/29/2007 01:04 AM

by Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.)

Faina-What a very timely post. We actually listed our own home the day before Thanksgiving and were debating if we should decorate. We have decided to decorate and give it that warm holiday feeling. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful blog.

11/29/2007 05:22 PM

by Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~Utah REALTOR® (Keller Williams Salt Lake City)

Faina - Decorating for the season is a personal choice regardless of your religious beliefs. If you normally decorate for the season then I say do it anyway. My only comment would be if you are a profuse decorator you may want to tone it down a little. You stage your home to sell it do not spoil that effort by overdoing the seasonal decorations.

11/30/2007 09:37 AM

by Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage)

Kathy -can't agree more. Decorating over the top is not a good idea during the holidays just like any other time.

Julie - thanks for offering a personal perspective. Like I said before I sold a home during the Christmas time -it was vary tastefully done, and actually helped to downplay the challenges of that property. Good luck on your sale.

Katerina - I am usually not a proponent of religious displays in the house, except for the holiday - I makes homes more appealing and that's what we are trying to do - appeal to the buyers.

Carole - I agree. It's all about appealing to the emotional side of the buyers. It can help them see in this home next holiday season.

11/30/2007 10:26 AM

by Faina Sechzer - Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, NJ Real Estate Expert (Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty)