Winter is already upon us, and it won’t be long until the festive lights start twinkling. However, before we start thinking about wrapping gifts, this could be a good time to start thinking about preparing your home for the market.
If you are ready to list your property for sale, there is no better time than the present. Studies show that the period between Boxing Day and New Year sees enormous spikes in estate agent website visitor numbers. In fact, according to Rightmove, the week of the 26th December saw 20% more people looking for a new home online than during the week before Christmas.
Interestingly, though, Rightmove’s data also shows that prospective sellers are typically lagging behind. 30th December sees the biggest increase in new property listings. That means all of those sellers are missing out on all of the potential buyers who are browsing estate agent portals in the run-up to New Year.
If you want to take advantage of the Boxing Day surge in interest, you need to be ready for the rush and get your home prepared in advance of the festive period.
Of course, preparing a property for sale at this time of year is a little different from during other seasons. While you still need to follow the standard advice for getting a home ready to sell, there are a few other factors to consider too.
So, with that in mind, here are our top tips for preparing to sell your home during the festive period.
First Things First – Classic Tips
Before we get started on season-specific advice, we should run through the classic advice for preparing a property for the market.
Decluttering is always important. Get rid of excess items you do not need so your home can look more spacious. Give every room an in-depth clean too. Make sure that all windows, appliances, carpets, and surfaces are dust and dirt-free so your home feels inviting and fresh. If any repairs or updates are required, tackle those before listing your property for sale. Fix any cracks or leaks and update any fixtures or appliances that are in poor condition or are outdated. Buyers will then feel confident that your property is well-maintained.
Once you have covered all of these areas, it is time to consider some aspects of preparing your home that relate specifically to the festive period.
Staging For The Season
Staging your house is a crucial aspect of preparing it for viewings at any time of year, but doubly so during the festive season. Your décor and furnishings should be arranged in a functional, yet visually appealing way so prospective buyers can see your property’s full potential.
It can be difficult to know whether you should decorate your home for the festivities if you are planning to stage it for a sale. However, if you take the right approach, it can be an excellent way to attract more viewings. A tastefully decorated home can look especially inviting and cheerful, making viewers feel at home from the moment they step through your front door. But there are a few simple rules to follow to have maximum impact.
Here is a handy checklist for you to use
Have your professional listing photographs taken before you put up any decorations. If you do not find a buyer until February or March, images showing seasonal touches could be a deterrent to prospective purchasers.
When you do put up your decorations, keep them simple and tasteful. Avoid anything too gaudy or over-the-top as this could deter buyers. An attractive, colour-coordinated tree, a door wreath, and some stylish garlands are sufficient to show festive spirit without being off-putting or distracting.
Use your decorations to highlight your home’s best features. For example, you can enhance your fireplace with a holly garland, or your bay window with a large tree.
Make the most of your lighting. During the Spring and Summer, you can make good use of natural daylight by opening blinds and curtains to showcase your rooms. This is often impossible in Winter when it gets dark during the afternoons. Fortunately, fairy lights, candles, and lanterns can add to the festive feel while also adding warm and welcoming brightness to dark corners. Remember to keep it tasteful, though. Warm white lights are a far better and less distracting choice than multicoloured bulbs.
Consider your outdoor decorations as well as those indoors. If you usually opt for countless flashing lights, Santa statues and inflatable reindeers, you should give them a miss this year. Kerb appeal could not be more important when trying to sell a property, so to make sure you are not putting off buyers before they even enter your home keep your outdoor decorations to a minimum – a simple door wreath should suffice.
Add some festive aromas. Studies have shown that 86% of people say a property’s smell could have an effect on whether or not they make an offer. Prospective buyers appreciate an inviting and pleasant aroma and find it appealing when looking around a property. The festive season is the perfect time to capitalise on this by adding fragrances like cinnamon, vanilla, and freshly baked cookies. Just take care that the scent is not too overpowering.
With this helpful festive checklist of property staging tips, you should have no difficulty in getting your house ready to list on the market in time to benefit from the Boxing Day rush. However, it is equally crucial to get the right professional help too, to make sure the process goes smoothly and that you get the very best price for your home.