Selling your home can feel overwhelming enough, without adding to the stress as Christmas approaches.
It is why one house selling expert has suggested that if you are going to get potential buyers through the door at this time of year, you need to avoid any unusual festive Christmas decorations.
This can include multi-coloured lights hung across the front façade of your property or an inflatable Father Christmas on the roof.
Bah humbug! Leave inflatables packed away in the roof this Christmas if you want to sell your property and not deter potential buyers
While Christmas is a time of the year where many like to go mad with the lights, tinsel and inflatables, sellers are being warned that if you want to attract buyers, it is best to steer clear.
It means that if you are going into the roof to dig out any of the following items in the next weekend or two, it is worth leaving them where they are this year if your property is on the market.
Colby Short, of estate agency comparison website GetAgent, explained: ‘Selling your home over Christmas can be extremely difficult, as the market quietens down a bit with people enjoying the festive period and spending time with friends and family.
‘However, just because there’s festive cheer in the air, it doesn’t stop people needing to sell properties – the property market is still very active.
‘You can use the season to your advantage by using simple and stylish decorations to accentuate your property’s interior. Use smells such as mulled wine or a burning log fire, which create a homey and festive atmosphere.’
It is worth having any estate agency photos taken without Christmas decorations, as you don’t want to date your property.
Avoid multi-coloured lights: Less is more when it comes to exterior decorations, especially if you have a for sale sign in the garden.
Decorations can also skewer how big your property is. However, if you are lucky to have high ceilings, a tree can a great way to show off the space.
Mr Colby added: ‘Some may want to postpone any viewings or meetings until after the festive season, especially if you tend to normally go all out with the decorations.
‘You may have extra noise and traffic from extra people driving by and any light displays too.
‘The reality is that potential buyers want to see how their potential house would look for the remaining 50 weeks of the year, but it doesn’t mean you can’t decorate.
‘In fact, if you do it right, Christmas can be the perfect time to showcase warmth, character and charm of your property to prospective buyers’
Here are his six Christmas decoration tips if you are hoping to secure a buyer during the remainder of this year…
1. Stick to white lights
Coloured, flashing lights aren’t to everyone’s taste, and while some like the spirit they bring, they can also put off potential buyers.
Avoid bright, coloured flashing lights for your tree inside and for any area on the outside of your house.
Instead, opt for a more tailored and sophisticated palette with white lights. This creates a more neutral, all-round aesthetic.
2. No exterior decorations
Avoid the large inflatable decorations or reindeer on the roof. Again, opt for white lights again if you want some festive cheer and keep it classical with a single welcoming door wreath or holly and ivy.
‘Less is more when it comes to exterior decorations, especially if you have a for sale sign in the garden,’ according to Mr Colby.
3. Use festive scents
There is something about the smells of cinnamon and mulled wine that is so welcoming.
Use these to your advantage over Christmas viewings and try festive candles, oil burners or have something festive baking.
A freshly brewed pumpkin spiced latte won’t go amiss too. A real tree can also add an extra homey smell to your home for when viewers visit.
If you want to sell your home this Christmas, try using festive candles, oil burners or have something festive baking
4. Don’t cover the beauty
Be mindful not to cover up any structure or feature in your home that may be of interest to potential buyers.
This could be something as simple as an oak stair rail or the mantelpiece. Remember less is more.
5. Light is everything
Natural light is essential for viewings, so make sure your decorating efforts don’t block any natural light, for example your tree in the middle of a bay window.
Try placing your holiday pride away from any windows, and if you must, make sure the natural light still flows in.
6. Neighbourly love
Unfortunately, it’s not just your own decorations that can put buyers off, it’s your neighbours too.
Neighbours are a huge part for people moving house, and to see loud and garish decorations next door could certainly put potential buyers off.
If you know your neighbours well, perhaps let them know you are trying to sell over the festive period, so that they can help attract a potential buyer.
