By Ruben Gonzalez Jr.
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
In
the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Clark Griswold may have gone
a little overboard with his Christmas lights, but if he was selling his house,
he may have had the right idea.
“Great
decorations really set the tone for the holidays, a time when you can showcase
your house in a different way to highlight areas that normally may not stand
out,” said Amy Cornwell, President/ Lead Designer for Creative Impressions,
which specializes in seasonal decorating.
By
creating a festive atmosphere, a home seller allows perspective buyers to
envision what their holidays will be like in the property—complete with a
beautiful tree, stockings hung from the fireplace mantels and the smell of
Christmas cookies in the air.
“[Buyers]
associate a sense of ‘home’ through the traditions and memories of holiday
décor,” Cornwell said. “It’s a great way to attract buyers.”
Nighttime
is when many perspective buyers are driving around looking at houses, and
nothing will slow them down more than a great Christmas light display. “A
well-designed display adds festive elegance to a home, and highlights the
already-present features of the property,” said Brandon Stephens, vice
president of Marketing at The Decor Group, Inc., Lubbock , Texas
In
fact, consider holding an open house at night, when you can serve hot chocolate
and better show off the Christmas lights, holiday decorations and all that the
house has to offer.
Here
are some simple suggestions to ensure your home captures the holiday spirit
without interfering in the real estate process:
·
Keep decorations to a minimum so you don’t block
views, make rooms feel smaller and disrupt the natural flow of the home.
Consider a smaller tree and store gifts in another room.
·
Incorporate fresh evergreen or rosemary into
your decorating for a classic look and to promote “the Christmas tree smell.”
·
Make sure light strings and extension cords are
tucked away for everyone’s safety.
·
Eschew religious or cultural decorations to not
alienate prospective buyers who don’t share your beliefs.
·
Leave a plate of holiday cookies and warm cider or
cocoa for prospective buyers.
The holidays are
emotional times for most people, including home shoppers. Holiday
decorations, presented tastefully and sensibly, can help you wrap a bow on your
home for just the right buyer.
Happy Holidays!
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562) 507-0754 or E-mail me.
Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated member
of BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with
Prudential. Equal Housing Opportunity .
