Are you thinking of listing your home this holiday season?
If you are thinking of listing your property, now may be the time to do it! In the Sea to Sky, the holidays are a great time to get a lot of exposure and open up a wider buying pool for your property. Many buyers are hoping to find a last-minute ski chalet so they can get the most out of the ski season. As a Whistler Realtor, I love listing properties over the holiday season. With snow on the mountains and lights throughout the villages, the Sea to Sky corridor really sparkle this time of year.
Some Sellers are deterred from listing during this time of year because they still want to decorate and enjoy their holidays. Luckily, the right decorations can actually be a big bonus and work with your home to help get top dollar! Here are some helpful tips for sellers who still want to decorate!
1. Set the stage
Before you go around and add decorations, make sure you have a solid base. This means your home should be professionally cleaned and staged. I have written posts in the past about the importance of staging and am constantly telling my clients how beneficial it is. Making sure you have the right furniture and placements in a clean space is step number one for holiday sellers.
2. Stay neutral
You may celebrate Christmas, Haunaka, Kwanza, or something else; but the person who buys your home may not celebrate the same thing. Keeping decorations religiously natural can help buyers imagine their family celebrating their traditions in that space. Small key pieces like a manger or menorah are okay, as long as they don’t overpower the space or take away from the rest of the home. Not sure what’s religiously neutral? No one is offended by snowflakes or nutcrackers!
3. Less is more!
The holidays are a time for sentimentality. You may have boxes full of crafts from your kids, heirlooms from relatives and fun, brightly coloured knick-knacks that you’ve collected over the years, however heartfelt these objects are, they will not help sell your home! Try to really restrict what you bring out this year. Pick a few key pieces to work around and pack away the rest. Buyers are here to see your property, not your personal possessions. It can be distracting and look cluttered if there are too many decorations.
4. Pick a colour scheme
This ties into the “less is more” idea. Too many colours and tones can be very overwhelming and take away from your property. Colour can impact mood and perception. It’s a good idea to think about how you want potential buyers to feel when they enter your home and utilize colours that create those moods. A palette for decorations should also work with the existing colours of the space. Make sure to consider the rest of the home before jumping in with decorations. Picking the right colour scheme will help make your decorations feel cohesive and give your space good energy.
5. Keep it classic
We all have our own personal styles and preferences. It’s therefore important to try to appeal to as many styles and preferences as possible. Classic, timeless decor is always the best for listing your home. Think; real garlands, light natural or metallic colours and gold or white string lights, simple baubles, wreaths and candles.
6. Size matters
When it comes to decor, size matters! The right proportions can make a space feel larger and highlight key features. A tall tree can emphasize the height of the ceiling, just make sure there is a gap at the top and the base isn’t too wide. Use your decor to accentuate the key features and space of your home. Make sure there is symmetry and balance with the height and size of your decorations.
7. Don’t forget about first impressions!
First impressions are KEY for sellers. Perceptions are made within 8 seconds of being in a new space. This is why it is incredibly important that you make every one of those seconds count! If you are decorating the exterior of your property keep lights minimal and a neutral colour. A fresh wreath on the front door or some winter greens in planters can also be a nice touch! Don’t bring out the inflatables or signs this year. The exterior of your property sets the overall impression of your property so be sure to make it look its best!
