Written By
Ana Durrani 11.21.22
The scent of fresh pine, chestnuts roasting, festive music playing and crackling fireplaces make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year. If you currently listed your home for sale, you’ll want to capture that holiday magic for your potential buyers touring your property. But when decorating your house, it’s important to restrain your inner “Clark Griswold” when it comes to holiday decorations.
“Now is the time to highlight your home’s best features and holiday decor can be an asset,” says Rachel DiSalvo, broker associate for Keller Williams Park Views. “Garland draped around the railing of a sprawling staircase, a large beautiful wreath hung on the front door with a bow can make any homebuyer feel like your home is a gift. Just remember less is more.”
It’s easy to go overboard with holiday decorating. But too much or mismatched decor can be displeasing to the eye, which is not what you want when selling your home to potential buyers. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind this holiday season when your home is on the market.
Don’t: Over Clutter
You love your Christmas decorations but you might want to tone it down a bit this year. Augusto Bittencourt, an agent for Compass says it’s important to keep things to the buyer’s imagination without pushing a specific aesthetic they may not like.
“Don’t overdo it; your house will look cluttered and smaller,” says Bittencourt.
Broker Mihal Gartenberg of Coldwell Banker Warburg says sellers should make sure decorations don’t overwhelm the space “but also complements the space and highlights the home’s great features.” She says the right amount of holiday décor “can highlight the positive energy surrounding the holiday season and bring joy and a positive outlook to prospective buyers.”
Do: Pick Neutral Colors, Lighting
You want your home to look like a winter wonderland to buyers.
“A good tip to keep your home elegant when decorating it for the holidays is to stick to a neutral color palette,” says Bittencourt. You should pick a color palette that matches your decor.
DiSalvo suggests using white lights on the exterior of the home in an organized fashion or calling in professionals to do your holiday lighting. “Keep the lights simple and add a nice glittering glow and soft, warm glow,” says Shannon P. Murree, lead agent for MovingSimcoe.com Team, RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty Brokerage.
Don’t: Use Gaudy Decorations
You sure like your Christmas-themed gnomes and incorporating the Grinch but those aren’t a good holiday look when you’re selling your home.
“Save the more outlandish and personal decorations for nearer the holidays when showing requests slow down anyway,” says Jeremy Kamm, an agent for Coldwell Banker Warburg.
DiSalvo says to avoid using multi-colored flashing lights and lots of lawn ornaments. “Avoid the inflatables on the front lawn. Some can perceive them as tacky and they’re not beneficial to selling your home,” says Murree.
Do: Go Tasteful and Festive
When decorating your home, make sure to be respectful of all potential buyers, but don’t shy away from tastefully decorating.
“Holiday decorations instantly add cheerful energy to a home, so don’t be afraid to show that you enjoy some holiday spirit. Just be mindful that the priority is attracting as many buyers as possible,” says Kamm.
When decorating, Murree says it’s important to use your space well too. “If you have high ceilings for example, utilize a large tree to show off those high, cathedral ceilings. Utilize a fireplace as a focal point. Show off the circular staircase and entrance as the “wow factor” and wrap with garland,” says Murree.
Don’t: Display Overly Religious Decorations
It might be an annual tradition to place the nativity scene on your lawn but when selling to homebuyers who might not share your faith, it’s better to stick to less religious holiday decor.
“We generally ask our clients to try and opt more for Fall and Winter decorations and little to no religious themes,” says Murree. That includes on the fireplace and avoiding placing any personal stockings, holiday cards or menorahs on the mantle.
“Keep it subtle,” says DiSalvo. “The buyer for your home may not share the same holiday traditions as you, they may be of a different faith, or may find the holiday season challenging to get through, and if your home is aggressively Christmasing, Haunnaka’ing or Kwanza’ing your buyer’s may feel like it isn’t a home they can imagine themselves living in.”
Do: Unleash Holiday Scents
Everyone is drawn to a nice-smelling home and the holidays are a perfect time to play up those oh-so-wonderful scents.
“Oftentimes sound and smells get forgotten about. Cinnamon spice, evergreen trees and freshly baked cookies can be positive emotional triggers that get your buyers to connect with the house unknowingly,” says DiSalvo.
Murree recommends avoiding plug-ins, which can be overpowering and can cause allergic sensitivities in some people. Stick to traditional home scents. “Bake cookies before a showing or open house. Another option is to boil hot water and cinnamon on the stove,” says Murree.
Bottom Line
When your home is listed for sale during the holidays, homebuyers likely expect some holiday decor. So, create a cozy vibe but stick to classic holiday decorations like wreaths on the door and string lighting. Homesellers who follow these do’s and don’ts may get an early Christmas gift from Santa.
