So, we are now getting into the Christmas season and your house still hasn’t sold. You really want to decorate for Christmas but don’t want to go overboard. Is there a tasteful way to decorate for the holidays without offending potential buyers or making the house too cluttered? Yes! And were going to talk about some simple ways to make your home festive without covering up the bones of the house. Buyers still want to see the house as it is the other 11 months out of the year but you may not be able to close before Christmas, so you shouldn’t have to sacrifice decorations just because your house is on the market.
Here are some simple tips for decorating a listed house for Christmas.
Cleanliness is the best option.
Regardless of what you do for your house for Christmas, cleanliness is really the top priority. Before you decorate, you need to clean the house from top to bottom. Pack up any nonseasonal items or off-season items such as Easter things, Thanksgiving or fall decorations, Fourth of July decorations, etc. These things will be packed up and moved by the time the next holiday rolls around so it’s best to get them cleaned and organized now. You might even consider hiring a professional cleaner to keep the house clean at least once a week.
Keep it neutral.
You might have a life-size Nativity scene that you set up in your front yard every year, but it might not be the best year to do that. Keep things as neutral and nonoffensive as possible. I literally hear some of my sellers saying, “well if they don’t like the Nativity scene I don’t want them buying my house.” But, this is not the right attitude. You want to be as gender neutral all across the board as well as nonoffensive. Having a few red bows, Garland, and holiday ornaments are probably not going to offend anyone.
Should you have a Christmas tree?
A lot of people completely rearrange their living room or family room to accommodate a Christmas tree and if this is going to make the furniture seem much more crowded, bunched up, or completely detract from the actual layout of the room, it’s best to forgo the tree. Consider decorating a tree outside or having a smaller tree on top of the table somewhere. If your 11-foot tree makes everything else in the room seem crowded, it might be a good year to forgo it.
Stay in step with the neighborhood.
If your entire neighborhood gets with the holiday decorations, you don’t want to be the Grinch on the block. Try to stay up with the theme of your neighborhood and get stay tasteful as well. You don’t need to pull out every reindeer, sled, and Santa statute you have just to compete, but a few well-placed lights and simple holiday decor will get the job done.
Create a cozy atmosphere.
I’m not saying a “crowded” atmosphere. There’s a big difference. Cozy might mean a few candles lit on the table or by the fireplace, a roaring fire, a cup of hot cocoa, good book, and to throw blanket all set the stage for a cozy atmosphere.
Use nature to decorate.
Display centerpieces and decorations from pinecones, wintry pieces of nature, or greenery as it’s simple, tasteful, and easy to create and cleanup.
Use holiday scents.
Spicy apple cider simmering on the stove, warm banana bread, gingerbread cookies, and the scent of sugar cookies wafting through the air always adds to the holiday flair. Don’t go overboard, however, but a mild sent might be exactly what pushes buyers over the edge to an offer.
Yes, you can decorate for the holidays even if your house is on the market. Just keep it simple, tasteful, and don’t go overboard with decorations. Make the home warm and inviting and for more tips to check out this Pinterest board for tasteful holiday decorations.
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