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December is mere days away and radio stations are broadcasting – much to my chagrin – Christmas music 24 hours a day. While this is a time of parties, entertaining friends & family and gift buying – it’s also the time when the real estate market cools off. Not many buyers go hunting for homes in December however its important for sellers to realize that if they are selling their home during this month, the property still has to be show-ready. If you’re like me, with 20 boxes of Christmas decorations (my husband swears the decorations multiply over the summer while they are in storage), then you need to re-think your holiday decorating strategy while your home is on the market.
If you are selling over the holidays then its important to keep decorating simple with key accessories designed to accentuate focal areas..When buyers go through a home during the holidays, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with holiday decorations. Not only does it make rooms feel smaller and more cluttered but too many decorations can also make buyers uncomfortable – especially if they don’t celebrate Christmas.
Great holiday table centerpiece!
We recommend choosing a maximum of three elements per space – this would include a tasteful table centerpiece, something for the mantle and then the christmas tree itself. You keep clutter to a minimum and highlight the few decorations on display so they stand out. Keep lawn decorations packed away and instead opt for a tasteful and pretty urn filled with hazel twigs, sprigs of pine and red berries. Remember, as much as it is the holiday season, your house is still up for sale and buyers need to be able to appreciate your home more than the decorations!
Dressing mantles with beautiful holiday decorations will make buyers go wow!
Here are a few simple holiday decorating ideas which add colour and festiveness without overwhelming the space:
1) Table Centerpiece: Fill a tall, round glass vessel with faux cranberries in the bottom. Add your choice of a tall 3 x 4 pillar candle in the middle and then layer around the inside of the glass vessel either some hazel twigs with faux berries on them or a few branches of evergreen or spruce trees to add that wonderful scent to the room.
2) Wall Decoration: If you have a framed mirror hanging over a focal area in your room, hang a wreath from the top edge so that it hangs in the middle of the mirror. This punches up the focal point in the room and adds a great modern flair.
3) Centerpiece: Get a long rectangular plate – I like white or silver but it can be your choice. Crush some candy canes and layer them in the bottom of the plate – this adds a great colourful element to the room and it smells great. Add small votive candles (3) on top – I like the white chocolate scented ones – and when lit this centerpiece makes the room smell amazing.
4) Table Centerpiece: Add a set of candlesticks of varying heights to the center of the table – they can either be grouped together or march lengthwise down the table. Add matching christmas balls on top of each candlestick for a dramatic and beautiful result.
TIP: When selling over the holidays remember there are fewer houses up for sale so a well presented home has a distinct advantage over its competition!
Great post! I love the idea of staging for Christmas, and I love your thoughts about keeping it very simple. I would also add that, in the unfortunate case the home is still on the market after Christmas, be prepared to get right over there to take the holiday deco down!
Love your ideas for the mantel and centerpieces!
Simplicity is best – especially when it comes to balancing holiday decorating with keeping your home show-ready for buyers. I completely agree that once the holidays are over that the all the decorations should come down if the house is still listed for sale.
Glad you liked the decorating ideas – feel free to share some of your own as well!
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