Its that season where you want to celebrate the coming holidays with a grandiose display of ghouls and goblins followed by pumpkins and wreaths and hand-traced kindergarten turkeys glued on paper plates and then, of course, garland and lights and ornaments hanging from everything and inflatables and a giant incredible tree. We get it. A visible display of festivity is our idea of holiday happiness too.
But going overboard while your home is for sale can actually keep it from selling. And theres nothing festive about that.
"Remember that buyers looking at houses during the holidays are generally ready to buy," said REALTOR Barbara Altieri.
Heres how to strike the right balance.
1. Dont overdue the dcor.
You want buyers to see your house, not all the stuff youve piled on in celebration of the holidays. But that doesnt mean you have to go bare.
"The less-is-more mantra of home staging may tempt you to forgo holiday cheer this year. But a few subtle touches like a pinecone centerpiece, an evergreen wreath or a pot of cider simmering on the stove can create a warm and festive feeling in your home," said Front Door.
2. Dont overdo the gore.
Gooey brains or severed limbs might be funny on Halloween night, but not so much when people are arriving for an open house.
3. Use some common sense.
You dont want to turn your house into an Ebola wasteland under any circumstances too soon, too sad, too gross. But if youre selling you house you want to be extra careful to keep your head and steer clear of anything that might be deemed controversial.
4. Ixnay on the iderspay.
Translation for those who arent up on their Pig Latin: Nix the spiders. Yes, theyre plastic. Yes, theyre funny. But anything that could make a potential buyer wince or cringe is not something you want hanging around your home.
5. Keep it secular.
"Avoid overtly >
6. Dont create a tripping hazard.
Walkways lined with pumpkins or candy canes are festive. But if theyre not tucked away so as to keep from impeding access, they could be a danger to visitors. The last thing you need is a lawsuit while youre trying to sell your home or anytime for that matter.
7. Dont hide your homes best assets.
"There is a time and place for everything and decorating your house that is for sale with a little too much spirit is distracting to say the least," said Altieri.
Its true. Too much holiday clutter can mask your homes best qualitiesinside and out. If there is so much outdoor dcor that potential buyers cant get a feel for your curb appeal, think about paring it down and only using a few of your favorite items - at least until your home is in escrow.
Inside, beware of covering every inch of your fireplace mantle, and, instead, showcase it with a few holiday items. Remember that you can highlight important areas of the home with a stylish vignette of fall dcor, a tray of holiday cookies, and a well-placed Christmas tree.
