“Can I still decorate my home for Christmas if it is on the market to sell or lease?”

We asked our agents their advice for decorating your home over the festive season while it is on the market.

“The approach to Christmas is a great time to sell due to a large volume of buyers feeling timed out by the year coming to an end. Many hope to buy in December allowing for settlement in January before children return to school and they return to work commitments. This leads to panic buying conditions as buyers compete to lock in the purchase of their new home.” – James Packham

Ensure you have your professional photos taken before you begin dressing your home with Christmas decorations. Images with Christmas decorations will date stamp your images and may lead to the home appearing to have been on the market for an extended period if any delays cause you to still be on the market in the new year.

Keep festive styling tasteful and in keeping with the house. Avoid decorations that make it difficult for buyers to manoeuvre around the house. Limit outdoor decorations so the home retains consistent kerbside appeal.

Consider the availability of services which may be required to prepare your home for sale. Painters, gardeners and Stylists are all available to work in December. Whereas launching in the new year may require trades and suppliers to be available through the holidays which is less certain and likely to attract premium rates.

In the approach to holidays people turn their thoughts to family and entertaining so think of ways you can highlight key areas which will excite those who love to play host. Dress outdoor entertaining areas, groom lawns, create unique spaces like a fire pit or a BBQ area. This will help people to get excited about the prospects of entertaining in their new home.