One of the biggest questions that tends to arise in the months leading up to the holidays, is whether or not people should decorate their homes for the holidays while trying to sell. This is an interesting topic, as some people prefer to see what homes look like when decorated, while other people prefer to see the space without the distraction of decorations.
We reached out to our RE/MAX Influencers – a panel of RE/MAX Sales Associates from across Canada – who provided some insight and tips into how you should go about staging your home during the holiday season.
Try to Take Photos Beforehand
One great tip that was offered up by the RE/MAX Influencers was to, if possible, have the listing photos of your home taken before decorating. This will allow potential buyers the chance to see your space both with and without decorations, and also will keep the listing photos from looking outdated if your home is still on the market in the months after the holidays.
Keep it Simple & Generic
Another tip that was provided by the Influencer panel is to keep your decorations simple and generic. While you may normally go full out with decorating for the holidays, try to keep the décor simple if you’re trying to sell. This will help keep your home from looking too cluttered and will allow potential buyers to see where their own decorations might fit if they are thinking of making an offer.
Keeping your décor generic will also help prospective buyers to envision themselves in your home, as not everyone celebrates the same holidays. Keeping things simple and generic will allow your home to be viewed as being festive and cozy, while also being approachable to potential buyers.
Some examples of simple, generic décor could be adding things like throw blankets on the end of beds or adding a festive wreath to the front door.
Tuck Personal Items Away
While it may be tempting to pull out festive family photos from past holiday seasons and put them on display, it may not be the best idea if you’re trying to sell during the holidays. By tucking personal items away, as mentioned above, you allow potential buyers to see themselves in the space, without being distracted by personal items that belong to the current owner.
One Influencer made a great comment, suggesting that if you have a Christmas tree decorated only place “fake” wrapped boxes under the tree and remove any tree ornaments that may hold value and sentiment to keep them safe and help protect your privacy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Space
When decorating for the holidays, it can be tempting to go all out with décor. It is important to keep space in mind when decorating, so you aren’t blocking any key viewpoints or restricting access to parts of your home that potential buyers may be trying to look at.
If you typically decorate with a large, bushy Christmas tree, consider getting something that is slimmer to help make your space appear more spacious.
Keep it Classic Outside
When staging your home for the holiday season, many people only think of the indoor spaces. The outdoor curb appeal matters too! You may love putting out your festive holiday inflatable decorations every year, but consider keeping those tucked away for the time being if you are actively showing your home during the holiday season, as they may not be everyone’s ideal décor options.
The RE/MAX Influencers suggest keeping outdoor lighting simple and classic by using white/yellow bulbs and string lights to keep your outdoor décor simple, while also looking sophisticated and classy. Consider utilizing any pillars or railings on the front step/porch by wrapping them with string lights and a garland, or putting down a holiday-themed doormat to help welcome prospective buyers to your home.
