Got your house on the market and hoping to sell soon? It turns out there some Christmas decorations that you should probably avoid if you want to turn potential buyers away.
With December fast approaching, the days of securing matching Christmas pyjamas for the family, digging out your Christmas jumpers and going on the hunt for the best real Christmas trees the garden centre has to offer are near.
But if your head is already brimming with Christmas decorating ideas and your Pinterest boards are sparkling with the best Christmas decorations, Christmas wreaths and Christmas tree toppers, you might want to think again.
If you're hoping to sell your house anytime soon, that is.
According to experts at GetAgent, there are a fair few Christmas decoration mistakes that could totally put off prospective buyers coming to check out your property during the festive season.
Should you decorate your house for Christmas if you want to sell it?
There are ways to add a touch of festive cheer to your home, keeping the look appealing and eye-catching without going overboard and sabotaging your sale.
When it comes to lights, go for a neutral and warming white tone and switch off that flash feature.
Colorful, flashing lights can look pretty in December, but they're definitely not for everyone.
White lights offer a far more "tailored and sophisticated palette", with GoAgent promising they'll create " an all-round appealing aesthetic".
Got an inflatable Santa, light-up reindeer or a 5ft plastic snowman in your attic? Leave them tucked away in your Christmas decs stash this year.
Garish, kitsch and in-your-face outdoor Christmas decorations have no place on a home that's up for sale, GetAgent says. Skip the outdoor additions all together or opt for simple and understated white lights with botanical touches of ivy and holly.
"Less is more when it comes to exterior decorations, especially if you have a for sale sign in the garden," the real estate pros add.
You should also be mindful not to cover desirable features in your home with Christmas decorations.
Don't hide the beauty of a statement fireplace, a timeless front porch or a gorgeous flight of stairs with ornaments and tinsel, making your home's selling points invisible.
Despite the don'ts of Christmas time in the house selling world, Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk Colby Short reminds that you can use December to your advantage when it comes to giving the best impression of your house and helping buyers envision their life there.
"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 properties interior. Use smells such as mulled wine or a burning log fire, cinnamon or orange which create a homey and festive atmosphere," he says.
"Lighting a fire can also be a great way to invite viewers in on a cold winter's night, and showing them what a cosy night in could look like."
-
The evolution of the Met Gala in pictures, from its origins to fun facts and the most iconic momentsThe Met Gala has become the 'superbowl of fashion' - but how did it start and when did Anna Wintour make it fashion's big night out?
-
From Madonna to Beyoncé, we uncover the most iconic songs that are actually remakesSometimes a cover song becomes so iconic people don't even realise it is a cover to begin with - and these examples are proof
