House for Sale? Holiday Decorating Tips

Friday, December 09, 2011

by Darlene Hammond

Here are some holiday decorating tips if your house is for sale:

Remember how your agent badgered you to de-clutter your house before you listed? Don’t re-clutter it with lots of decorations.
If you historically put up a huge tree, think about downsizing a bit. While a tree can add appeal to a room, it shouldn’t take up too much space and should be in an out-of-the-way corner.
Remove a piece of furniture or two if you have to in order to compensate for the space the tree is occupying. Leave the buyer some ‘room’ to envision living in that space.
If you like to display gifts under the tree, now is not a good time to do that. Tuck them away securely and enjoy them on your holiday.
Keep outside lighting and any seasonal wreaths, sprays, bows, to a minimum remembering that the exterior can generate that cluttered…and unappealing … look as well. Maybe just use a front door wreath with a soft spotlight and some candles in the windows. Understated yet inviting.
Invest in some flameless battery operated candles and place them strategically around the house to create a warm, cozy feeling. Maybe use in a festive centerpiece, fireplace mantle, or even in the bathroom. The ambient glow will convey a nice, homey appeal.
If you have a fireplace, you might consider getting a fireplace candelabra and lighting that up with battery operated candles to show off the fireplace, set the stage and help the buyers imagine themselves using that room and fireplace.
Be careful with using scents. Whether it’s potpourri or maybe lighting a scented bayberry candle to make the house smell good (to you but maybe not to someone else) before showings … just leave it for another time.