No matter what holiday you are celebrating, staging your home during the holidays can be hassle-free by following these simple guidelines:
  • DO NOT OVER-DECORATE: Too many decorations created unwanted effects on your home. 1) Buyers will not remember the house's features, 2) The house will appear small and cluttered, 3) Overwhelming religious holiday decor may be offensive to hardcore PC buyers.
  • DO, MINIMAL SEASONAL DECOR: Keep seasonal decor to localized areas such as the fireplace mantle, table center pieces, and vanities. Having just a few pieces will give the "flavor" of the season without "overwhelming the taste buds."
  • DO NOT SET UP A TREE IN SMALL SPACES: If you are selling a house under 2000 square feet, every inch of space needs to be seen. It is more important that buyers see all the corners in the living room instead of a 7-foot spruce.
  • DO USE OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Without going Clark Griswold on your roof, tastefully use exterior Christmas lights to stir up warm feelings in your buyers. Now that our days are shorter, it is important to use artificial lighting to set the mood.
  • DO NOT USE LARGE YARD DISPLAYS: The same theory for interior decorating applies to the exterior as well. Inflated snow globes may look neat, but buyers will have a hard time looking past it and may miss your landscaping and other exterior features.
  • DO KEEP DECOR TIMELY: Once your holiday is done, pack the decor ASAP. A house that retains holiday or seasonal decor past its due date has a neglected atmosphere.
  • DO NOT USE STRONG FRAGRANCES: Although tempting, using candles, potpourri, and room fresheners may irritate sensitive buyers. Instead, use natural fragrances such a baked cookies and simmering cider to boost the aromas in your home.
  • DO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS: Reduce the stress by reducing the amount of commitments you make during this time of the year. This time of the year is about your faith, your family, and your friends. Keep it simple and remain positive towards the marketing of your home!

One final thought... when listing your home over the holidays, DO NOT decorate your home to suit the current season or holiday unless you are going to update the photos when the season/holiday is past. Photos on the MLS of Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle is not appealing when it is the middle of March.

Happy HanuRamaKwanzMas, Everyone!
KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape
KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
 
Post is included in group: Accredited-Staging-Professionals
Post is included in group: Minnesota's Nice :)
Post is included in group: Real World Home Staging for Newbies
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

6 Comments on Holiday Home Staging Tips

NOV
28
2008
126,152 Points Outside Blog

Hey, great post. I really like the holiday blog decoration.

5:49pm • #1
3 Featured Posts
Excellent tips! Thanks so much for sharing. If it's okay with you, I'm going to reblog this soon!
7:20pm • #2
2 Featured Posts
Charlotte: Thanks a bunch! Kristen: It's alright with me!
7:29pm • #3
205,256 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kristina ~ Excellent tips, thank you for reminding us of the importance of keeping holiday decorating simple when we're selling.

Post is featured in the Newbie group:  http://activerain.com/groups/RealWorldHomeStaging

8:58pm • #4
NOV
29
2008
323,158 Points 40 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kristina--The key is tasteful decorations that don't detract from your main goal to sell the house! Wonderful tips!

8:08am • #5
DEC
22
3 Featured Posts

Hi Kristina,

Timely. tasteful and to the point! Agents have to remember to change out photos with holiday decorations as soon as the the season is over too.

1:41am • #6

Leave a response…



(optional)
What does the graphic say?
 
Rainmaker_large

Kristina, KFM Staging & Design - A Minnesota Home Staging Company

Saint Paul, MN

More about me…

KFM Staging & Design

Cell Phone: (651) 815-2949

Email Me

KFM Staging & Design is committed to working with Realtors and homeowners as a team to prepare their homes for the real estate market.

Many agents are repeat clients because they have experienced KFM's excellent service and have received amazing results!

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Get great free widgets at Widgetbox!

Visit StagedHomes.com

Kristina Mosloski's Facebook profile

Subscribe with Bloglines
Kristina of kfm staging

XING
My Zimbio
Top Stories My Zimbio
KudoSurf Me!
View Kristina Mosloski's profile on LinkedIn



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find MN real estate agents and Saint Paul real estate on ActiveRain.