The holidays are a wonderful time of year to sell a home. The MLS photos with a smattering of colorful lights and a festive wreath on the door add sparkle to a listing’s appeal…well that works in December anyway. By mid-January, the holiday decor looks a bit sad. The appeal that the festive decor added weeks before the holiday has the extreme opposite affect just a few weeks after the new year has begun. As the calendar approaches February, Christmas decorations can make a house look unkempt and even a bit depressing to a home buyer.
A few years ago I was out with a client driving through neighborhoods on a bitter cold winter day searching for her new family home. We drove by a house that wasn’t even on the market but it had several blowmold plastic Christmas characters scattered across the snow covered front lawn. My buyer couldn’t contain her disdain and said, “It’s time to pack up that crap. The holiday is over.” I was taken aback because we were just days into January. This wasn’t a client that hates the holidays but she did think people should keep their yards looking nice. I give people a pass when the temps are subzero but if you’re my home selling client and hope to sell your home, I would recommend removing the plastic penguins and Christmas lights sooner rather than later.
Reminders for January Home Sellers:
- Take down the tree and remove plastic Santa and/or grapevine reindeer from your front yard.
- Remove colorful holiday lights (white lights are okay especially if showing in the evening).
- Remove Christmas wreath, tinsel and garlands. A winter themed wreath on the front door is acceptable if it is not made of pine with a big red holiday bow.
- Make sure all online photos are free of Christmas trees, lights or holiday decor.
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