4 Tips for Holiday Home Staging

If you are selling your Lake Geneva home, you probably know the importance of staging. The goal of staging is to create a clean, neutral look for a prospective buyer to envision their family in your property and feel like “they are home”. Not “You are home”… You want the property to feel like their space now.

For suggestions and rules for room by room, check out this blog on houselogic. General rules include:

• De-cluttering

• Lighter, brighter, bigger, better- lights on and shades open

• All paths outside through a manicured/cared for/swept garden

• No artificial flowers or candles- this one is more lenient during the holidays

Staging can be more difficult during the holiday season as people vary in their religions, beliefs, and holiday decorating style. The key here is to keep things simple, elegant, and more seasonal as opposed to religious. One important thing to keep in mind is that buyers looking at homes during the busy holiday season are typically very serious buyers and are ready to buy today.

In addition to the usual staging tips, there are some extra considerations for the holidays:

Curb appeal is still important. When a buyer pulls up, they don’t need to see a manger scene or blow-up Santa. Some simple greenery, white lights, and a beautiful wreath on the door are simple and welcoming. They make the buyer feel at home immediately upon entrance.

Inside décor needs to be seasonal and simple. I’m not saying don’t put up a tree if you have children. But, try to keep it scaled down with more of the ornaments you’d find on a commercial tree. Or, consider putting your tree in the basement this year so it’s not the first thing a buyer sees. Keep tchotchkes to a minimum. Keep religion out of your décor as much as possible. Greenery, snowmen, reindeer, ornaments, candles, cardinals, buffalo plaid – these things are very winter themed without touting religion. Think Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, and LL Bean.

A fireplace can be very welcoming. If it’s gas, turn it on and have a couple of books on a table nearby. The mantle is a good place to have a little greenery or some pretty candles. Keep it simple, ornate, and cozy.

Keep your current color scheme in mind. If your home is the maritime blues and whites, PLEASE don’t hang up big red and green bows all around that clash with the usual décor. Step back and see what the buyer sees. Does your home look like a photo from a magazine? Does it look like someplace you’d like to snuggle up and spend a day? If not, re-think and re-arrange some things.

The holidays are a time of fun and a flurry of activity. I know having your home on the market during the season is tough but getting a buyer in your home that is ready to buy now will be worth the extra effort.