Special offer

To Tree Or Not To Tree?

By
Real Estate Agent with The Realty Group, LLC

To Tree Or Not To Tree?  That is the question when your house is on the market during the holidays.

Do you Macy it up with a towering, teetering tree bedecked and bedazzled with an overabundance of bows and baubles that creates a load only an engineer could appreciate? 

Or are you tasteful with a tidy wreath on the front door and a few sprigs of greens on the mantle? 

What's the message are you sending out? 

Scenario #1:  Please, please, pleeeeeaaaaaaassssseeeee buy our home!  Can't you just envision yourself here on Christmas morning, opening gifts by a crackling fire (recently sweeped as indicated in the Seller's Disclosure).  Notice the updated electrical - how else could we run all these megalights day and night and run the dishwasher at the same time?  Did you see our illuminated For Sale sign or did you google the neighborhood and find our lights on the satelite view?  Oh by the way, want a cookie?  We baked them in our double convection oven in the updated kitchen (notice the stainless steel and new granite, thank you)!  We are SO desperate to sell our home, we'll even throw in the fake presents under the tree!

 Scenario #2  Bah Humbug.  I know it's Christmas but frankly, we're so broke we're not doing anything.  Please buy our house.

 Scenario #3 - Welcome to our home.  We are continuing our usual Christmas tradition even if our house is on the market.  We've had many good memories here - and we hope you will too. 

Personally, I go for #3 - enjoy the holidays in your house (tastefully) after all, if all goes as planned, it will be your last. 

How do you advise your clients to decorate during the holidays? 

 

 

 

Posted by

Alyce Martin, CNE, Associate Broker in Albuquerque "The Place To Be!"
Free Home Search @ http://www.HomeSearchABQ.com
(505)  331-8285
The Realty Group LLC

 

Jeff Craig
Hang Me Up Photos - Jamestown, NC
Greensboro Area Real Estate Photography

As long as you dont go Griswald, I think it's fine to have a tree and some tasteful decorations up.

Dec 09, 2009 05:34 AM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Hi Jeff - thanks for stopping by - Giswald, that's funny.  I tend to go the Goldilocks route, not too much, not too little, just right. 

PS I looked at your profile and kudos to you for the rescue dogs.   Happy holidays.

Dec 09, 2009 07:06 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
I say Alyce go with a tree and live your life normally till you sell your house!
Dec 09, 2009 07:44 AM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Hi Gary - hope you have a happy holiday.  Our family is trying something new this year - giving only experiences, no gifts.  This should be interesting but I think my sister will be the weakest link here, okay, maybe I will cheat a a little too ...maybe this is why I'm thinking about having a tree or not. 

Dec 09, 2009 08:37 AM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

I suggest a tree with now presents under it. ( Better safe than sorry). Outside, simple is best. Lights in moderation.

Dec 10, 2009 12:02 AM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Hi Michelle - good tips - thanks for stopping by

Dec 10, 2009 03:40 AM
Kim Dillon
Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

I think seasonl decoration rather than Holiday decorating is best when marketing your home.

Dec 11, 2009 07:47 AM
Monica Stanciu
Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc. - Markham, ON
Staged 2 Sell Solutions, Markham, ON

I will go with the tree and tasteful decorating inside and no inflatable Santas/deers/snowmen and multicolored lights outside.

Dec 11, 2009 01:20 PM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Kim Dillon - I like your thinking - maybe starting out with a striking wreath on the front door, changeable with the seasons (if the house is on the market that long...:(

Monica Stanciu - understated and tasteful wins everytime!

Thank you guys for your comments.  Stagers are awesome!

Dec 11, 2009 03:52 PM
Christa Ross
RE/MAX Select Realty - REALTOR and Green Homes Specialist - Pittsburgh, PA
Helping you buy and sell Pittsburgh's Best Homes

#3, without going overboard.

Dec 14, 2009 07:45 AM
Liz Gallagher
LG Home Harmony - Home Stagers & Organizers - Montreal, QC
Montreal Quebec RESA member

I would too ... but be sure to have it down soon after the holidays ... I wouldn't push it.

Jan 03, 2010 06:41 AM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Hi Liz - the boo-boo I often is see are Christmas trees in the MLS photos - in JUNE!

Happy New Year everybody.  I really think 2010 is going to be full of wonderful things for ALL of us!

Jan 03, 2010 02:05 PM