Although there are fewer buyers actively looking for new homes between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year, it's important to remember that the key word here is fewer. That doesn't mean that no one is looking! In fact, buyers who are searching for a home during the traditional "slow" time are typically very motivated. If they are involved in a relocation to the West Bank, you can bet that the holiday season doesn't put their home search on the back burner.
You have a wonderful opportunity to show your home at its sparkling best when decorated for the season...provided you follow a few tips:
Subtle decorations are the most welcoming
I know that you are proud of your collection of inflatable lawn decorations that took you years to amass. But making your front yard look like the display area of the local discount store is not the way to entice buyers to the front door. Santa, the reindeer, the elves and Frosty will all understand the extra year in storage, I promise.
Don't let your tree(s) take over the room(s)
I'll be the first to admit that I used to be a snob about my Christmas tree, so I bought two of them every year. One for me, with all of my lovely, coordinated ornaments and other decorations. And one for the kids, for all of that tacky junk they insist on hanging on the tree and then smothering in tinsel. As the kids have grown, we've reached a compromise with one tree, but tinsel is still not allowed. When decorating your tree, keep in mind that less is more. Neatly stacked presents with matching bows might seem over the top to you, but will make a really good impression on a buyer!
Fresh seasonal flowers or plants make a space more inviting
Poinsettias, fresh garlands and pine cones - all of these things give just the right touch. That blinking wreath that plays O Christmas Tree when anyone approaches the front door does not.
Scents of the season
The aroma of the holidays can fill your house with just a little cider warming on the stove. Trust me, buyers prefer the smell of cinnamon to that of the cat box (which should be discreetly tucked away in a spot that the cat knows about).
Sounds of the season
Soft, seasonal background music can set the stage for a showing. Please remove Grandma and the drunken reindeer from the CD player immediately.
Lighting
I saved this for last because it's where most faux pas occur. Neatly hung lights along the house are attractive and festive. But, just as the inflatables have to spend another year in storage, so does the giant blinking star for the roof. Those crazy blinking lights that spell out Merry Christmas to the satellites? Out. I'll even go out on a limb here and say that I'm pretty sure that the astronauts are not looking for their next home from space.
Remember, decorations should serve to enhance the beauty of your home - not distract potential buyers from actually seeing it! Have a question about selling your home during the holidays? Give me a call or drop me an email. It would be my pleasure to help.
More about selling your West Bank home:
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living. All rights reserved.
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Lisa, yeah, I used to have the 2 trees too -- one for the kids and one for me! Now, I'm down to one and purchase a SLIM tree -- doesn't take as much space in the room. A huge tree takes a lot of space -- makes the room feel smaller than it actually is. I prefer that my clients not put their presents out until maybe Christmas Eve.