The holiday season is here and you've decided to list your property.
Keeping up appearances is never easy at the best of times, but add in house guests, social events and showings and you might wonder if you've bitten off a little too much gingerbread. The following are some tips to help keep your home viewing ready.
A clean and decluttered home is the foundation of being market ready. So keep it simple when it comes to holiday decor. Use vases filled with shiny holiday balls, a seasonal floral, or cards on a card organizer. Keep the wrapping station under wraps, and save the display of gifts for the family.
Welcome buyers and guests with a fresh wreath or potted display of season greens at the door. If a tree is a family tradition, chose a small, narrow tree to keep the space open. Perhaps even remove a small furniture piece to accommodate. Keep the bows, embroidered towels, garlands and displays of inflated snowmen in storage.
To avoid always tidying up, get some baskets at the dollar store for personal items in the bathrooms, bedsides, dresser tops, and rooms. It makes it easy to slide away on short notice. Be sure to empty a dresser drawer and make some closet space for your guests. Tuck their travel bags in storage and provide them with a basket or two.
Baby, it's cold outside, but a little fresh air in the house may be needed to remove the smell of those brussels sprouts, pets, spices and frying. Even overwhelming artificial holiday scents can stop you at the door.
Keeping it simple is relaxing and inviting. Potential buyers should walk away talking about the great space, not the collection of seasonal decor you've accumulated over the years.
Caroline Roussy is a property stylist with Urban Presentations Home Staging.
