The holiday season is a wonderful time of the year. If you're like many homeowners, you look forward to adorning your home inside and out with stunning decorations, dazzling lights, andholiday cheer. However, when you're hoping to sell your home during the holiday season you may run into a bit of a problem — how do you decorate your home?

In December, New England turns into a winter wonderland, and it's expected that home sellers will want to decorate their house before they wave goodbye. Our REALTORS® understand that you want to make the best decisions for your property while still enjoying the last few weeks in your home. We've gathered together these tips on staging your home for sale during the holidays so you can celebrate the holiday season while still properly presenting your home.

• Focus On Everyday Presentation
  November through January is quite a whirlwind for many families. However, you still need to prioritize your home's presentation regardless of the holiday season. You interior needs to look and smell clean while your exterior should be tidied up as well as possible. Remember, potential buyers will look at every detail of your home.
  
  
• Minimize Religious Décor
  While it is common to see many examples of religious decorations throughout New England homes, we caution our home sellers to avoid displaying these pieces. We never want to offend any potential buyers or their beliefs which is why we insist that you respectfully keep religious decorations stored.
  
  
• Use Seasonal Décor Instead
  Even though you need to store your religious décor, you can still happily decorate with seasonal pieces. Nature-inspired decorations or those which symbolize the winter or harvest season are safer ways to jazz up your home in a neutral way.
  
  
• Consider Coziness Over Clutter
  Close your eyes and think of the winter season — there's a good chance that nights around the fireplace, hot cocoa, and warm blankets enter your mind. You can create a cozy and seasonal-appropriate atmosphere in your home without putting up too many decorations. Consider toning down your decorating to declutter your space and instead focus on achieving a welcoming, warm, homey environment.
  
  
• Don't Cover Up Important Features
  Keeping your space decluttered is important, especially when it ensures that notable features of your home are still showcased appropriately. For instance, although you may convert a nook into a Christmas tree display, we suggest leaving the space as it normally is. You want the buyers to view the top elements of your home in a context which allows them to imagine their possessions in the space.
  
  
• Don't Disrupt Your Color Scheme
  It's not uncommon to use a variety of bright and beautiful colors in your decorations. You must also be aware of how these colors might impact the look of your home's existing color scheme. Silver and gold are normally able to blend with other colors, but bright reds, greens or multi-colored items could clash with the colors of your walls, furniture, and décor. We suggest limiting colorful banners or garland.

Decorating correctly for the holidays when you're trying to sell your home can be a difficult task. For more advice on making your home's presentation, look as professional as possible during the holiday season, contact us.