When homes go on the market we can find many conflicting opinions from “industry experts” about the degree to which a home should be decorated for the holidays, or even personalized to their family. Some will argue that even family photos are distracting to house hunters, but isn’t that part of what transforms a house into a home?  Like anything else, an “optimal amount” should be the goal, not too much, not too little, but just right.   A professional Realtor can help sellers determine what is right, and they should be prepared to objectively look through the eyes of the buyer.  It’s probably time to package up the beer can collection and Star Trek memorabilia!

So now the question of how much to decorate for the holidays is upon sellers.  It’s probably safe to say that owners shouldn’t go over the top like retailers who started putting up Christmas displays on Halloween!  At the other end of the spectrum, doesn’t a stark, sterile non-holiday look shout “Bah, Humbug!” at prospective buyers? 

If you find yourself debating how much is too much, a middle-of-the-road approach probably makes sense – neither be Clark Griswold nor the Grinch, instead be tasteful, perhaps even elegant.  More than a fire in the fireplace can provide a welcoming warmth to a home.  Lighting, the right aromas or other inexpensive but effective techniques can accomplish the job.  I found what I thought was sensible advice on this topic in REALTOR Magazine Online.  Click here to read the article in its entirety.  There are probably good tips here even if you’re NOT selling. 

What are your thoughts on these topics? We’d love to know how the Toledo Real Estate Market and the surrounding communities feel about this topic, and we encourage you to comment below!