Can I Decorate If I’m Selling My House?

The holidays are here, and the timing could be a better – considering you just put your house on the market. Although you may not receive many bites until after the holiday, you can’t chance losing a potential buyer! As your house remains on the market, you’re probably wondering if you can still decorate. There isn’t anything wrong with holiday decorations, as long as you don’t go overboard. Here are some tips that might guide your decorating process.

Keep it neat and de-cluttered

Holiday decorations can get out of hand, so make sure the décor you are putting out is neat and simple. For example, you don’t want to put up a bunch of wall décor, villages under your tree or in your bay window, or giant inflatable snowmen in your yard. You want your home to appear warm for the holidays, yet spacious and neat as well.

Clean up around the tree

If your family prefers real Christmas trees over fake ones, you know you must add “clean up around tree” to your to-do list every day. Although real trees look and smell great, they are a bit messy with the water and pine needles. Keep a simple tree skirt around the base and remember to vacuum up the needles every day so it doesn’t get out of hand.

Don’t display your holiday cards

It’s nice to receive holiday greeting cards from your friends and family but this year, don’t don them around the house. Put them away before potential buyers browse your home. Cards are just as distracting as family photos; buyers want to see themselves in your home, not picture your lifestyle.

Keep your outdoor holiday decorations simple

Nice greens with white lights around your door and matching roof lights are clean, elegant, and nice. Stay away from colored, flashing, or any type of distracting lights or decorations. Show buyers how nice and picturesque the home can be around these holidays.

Holiday decorations should fit your home

If your home is designed with class, you’ll want to make sure your holiday decorations fit that. For example, if you have a beautiful dining room set, fancy carpets, and beautiful candles, you don’t want to throw Snoopy’s doghouse in your yard, display Christmas Vacation moose mugs around the kitchen, and put the famous leg lamp in your window. Stick to the white lights here and there, a single candle in each window, and classy décor on your mantle.

Holiday decorations are a big part of this time of year; just because you’re selling your home, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on it. Stick to these tips and you’ll be just fine! Who knows, maybe the extra holiday spirit will spark positive, cheerful vibes in your buyers and cause them to want to make an offer!

For more tips on preparing your home for the market, contact our team at Brightstar Reality & Rentals.