Should you decorate for fall and the holidays when your home is on the market?
Yes, but cut your decor in half first. A little warmth helps. Anything tied to a date hurts because your listing photos stay online long after the holiday is over.
This is the part sellers forget. You take photos in late October. If the home is still on the market at Thanksgiving, those jack-o'-lanterns are still on the porch in every photo. Buyers notice. A dated photo makes a listing look like it's been sitting.
Jeanie's rules for decorating while you're listed
Yes, decorate. A home that feels like the season feels lived in and loved. Just do it this way:
- Cut your decor in half before anything goes up. Pack away half of what you normally put out, then decorate with the rest.
- Go lighter. A few well-placed pieces read as warm. A full display reads as clutter.
- Keep it coordinated. One color story, not a little of everything.
- Be space conscious. Nothing that blocks a walkway, a window or the fireplace and nothing that makes a room look smaller.
- Make it smell like the holidays. Baking is the best. Cookies or banana bread in the oven before a showing beats any candle or plug-in.
What helps
- Neutral texture. A knit throw on the sofa, a woven basket, earth-tone pillows. They read as cozy in any month.
- Fresh color at the front door. Mums or ornamental kale in a planter and a simple wreath. These photograph well from the street.
- Warm light. Open the blinds, turn on every lamp and use warm-toned bulbs. Fall light fades early, so showings after 5 p.m. need every light on.
- One natural accent. A white pumpkin or a bowl of pears on the kitchen island. One, not twelve.
- A clean, swept entry. Leaves pile up fast in yards with mature trees. Sweep the walk before photos and before every showing.
What hurts
- Anything with a date on it. Halloween decor, Thanksgiving signs, "Happy Fall Y'all" doormats.
- Big yard displays. Inflatables and graveyard scenes hide the curb appeal you're paying to show.
- Artificial scents. Plug-ins and stacked candles make buyers wonder what you're covering up. Real baking is the exception.
- Clutter on every surface. Seasonal decor adds objects to counters, mantels and tables. That's the opposite of what photos need.
- Fake leaves and garland on the mantel. They hide the fireplace, which is one of the features buyers want to see in fall and winter.
The two-step approach
- Photos first, decor second. Take listing photos with the home neutral. Add your seasonal touches after photos are done.
- Pack it up before the season ends. Take fall decor down the day after Thanksgiving. If you decorate for December, follow the rules above and keep the fireplace and windows clear.
A note on your exterior photo
Your front photo is the first thing buyers see. If it was taken with brown grass, bare trees or a pile of leaves, ask your agent about updating it in the spring. A fresh exterior photo can restart attention on a listing that's been on the market for a while.
FAQ
Is it OK to have a wreath on the door? Yes. A simple wreath with no holiday theme works in photos for months.
What about a scent for showings? Bake something. The smell of real baking beats any plug-in. If you can't bake before a showing, simmer cinnamon sticks or apple slices for a few minutes.
Should I decorate a vacant home? No seasonal decor is needed. Make sure the lights work and the walkway is clear for evening showings.
Final takeaway
Decorate for warmth, not for a date. Cut your decor in half, keep it coordinated and let the oven do the rest.
Listing this fall?
Jeanie will tell you what to keep out, what to pack and when to schedule photos so your listing still looks fresh in December. Call (972) 414-0719 or visit the sellers guide.
Related posts
