Tips for getting show ready during the holidays
There is nothing like the winter months for making a house feel like home. A cozy fire in the hearth, cookies baking in the oven, sparkling twinkle lights…all things that can make your home appealing to buyers. In a season where many homes have been taken off the market your home can stand out and hopefully get a contact on it before the new year. So how do you go about getting your home show ready during the holidays? With these tips your home will be ready to shine!
Clear Out Clutter
Before you break out the tree start by packing away things you wont need during the listing period. Extra stuff can make the your house appear smaller so clean it out! This is a great time to purge – plus the more you purge the less you have to pack and unpack! If your home is packed with your possessions buyers will have trouble picturing themselves in the space, this often leads them to move on the the next home on their list. So clean it out, pack it up, and live like a minimalist.
Simple and Cozy Decorations
Go ahead and deck the halls but keep decorations to a minimum. Christmas decor can make your home feel extra cozy and show off your space if done correctly. Try to avoid large decorative items – oversized items and make your home feel smaller. Be aware of overly religious items, tacky, or well loved decorations – keep things simple. Think of magazine Christmas spreads, nothing overly personal, simple, and clean. If your house makes you feel cozy and refreshed when you walk through the door your potential buyers will most likely feel that way as well.
These tips apply to the outside of you home as well; this is not the year to challenge Clark Griswold. A well lit home can display architectural details just don’t go overboard on your holiday display. Keep things simple and easy to maintain.
Keep it Clean
Winter months can be hard on keeping your house in show ready condition. Wet weather means footprints or mud and if you opt for a real tree, needles will grace your floor often- keep the mop and vacuum at the ready.
Cleanliness is important for the outside of your home as well. Winter months allow things that are hidden by plants in the summer to be seen. Clean up around shrubbery, keep your lawn raked, and walkways clear.
Be Accessible
The holiday season can quickly fill you calendar with activities but when you are selling your home try and clear you schedule as much as possible. Opt for not hosting parties and when you leave for a period of time leave the house in show ready condition in case a showing is requested while you are out. Remember if you want your home sold people need to see it.
