Holiday-Ready Homes: Decorating with Buyers in Mind

If your home is on the market in Georgina this December, you can still put up the tree and enjoy the season. Before listing photos or your first showing, walk through the house as if you were seeing it for the first time. Can you get from the front door to the living room easily? Can you see how the furniture fits and where the natural light comes in? A few small adjustments can make the house feel festive while giving buyers room to picture their own everyday life there.

Start with one focal point in the living room

A lit tree beside the fireplace can make a living room feel especially inviting on a cold afternoon. Give the tree enough space that it leaves the window, fireplace and main walkway visible. If your usual spot means moving an armchair into the only clear path through the room, try a slimmer tree or a different corner. A simple cedar garland on the mantel can bring in some greenery while keeping the stonework or wood trim visible.

If the shelves and coffee table are already full, put a few everyday items away before adding seasonal pieces. That leaves enough open space for buyers to take in the room and for you to enjoy the decorations you’ve chosen.

Make the first few steps easy

In winter, a showing begins with the walk from the driveway. Shovel the steps and walkway, clear away slippery patches and keep the porch light on for late-afternoon appointments. A wreath or a pair of evergreen planters can make the entrance feel welcoming. Leave room to reach the door without stepping around them.

Inside, make space on the mat for wet boots and leave a few hooks free for coats. Buyers arriving from a snowy driveway will appreciate having somewhere to set things down. It also gives them a better sense of how the entry handles everyday winter traffic.

Let buyers see the house in good light

Open the blinds before daytime showings so buyers can see how much natural light comes in and what the windows look out onto. For appointments after dark, turn on the lamps in the living room and the lights in adjoining rooms so buyers can see how the spaces connect. Soft white tree lights can add warmth, especially when the rest of the room is well lit.

If your home has a view of the lake or a backyard that’s especially pretty in winter, check that the tree or oversized decorations leave those sightlines open. And before a showing, give the house a chance to air out after cooking and skip heavily scented candles.

Think about how long the listing photos may be online

If your home may still be listed in January, consider taking the main listing photos before putting up the tree or after the decorations come down. That can be especially helpful for the front exterior and main living spaces. If the photos are already done and the house looks noticeably different once the holidays are over, talk with your agent about whether a few updated images would help buyers know what to expect.

If you’re planning to sell in Georgina over the holidays, we’d be happy to walk through your home with you and help you decide what to highlight for photos and showings. Visit GeorginaHomesForSale.com to get in touch.

Wayne Winch & Brenda Brouwer
RE/MAX All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage