Christmas decorations

Tesco might be telling us there is no naughty list this year, but people looking for a new home this Christmas have different ideas. They are quite certain what’s naughty and nice! A recent survey by Bankrate UK has found that 60% of buyers and renters admitted to being put off a property because of their choice of Christmas decorations, with inflatable characters, such as snowmen and Santa, reducing a property’s appeal the most.

• 60% of buyers and renters have been put off a property because of the Christmas décor
• Inflatable Christmas characters were the worst offenders
• Electronic characters, garish internal Christmas décor and excessive outdoor lighting all get a negative response from home hunters

So if you’re selling or renting your home this Christmas and want to make it really festive for (virtual) viewings, here are our tips to put a smile on potential buyers’ and renters’ faces.T

Keep it classy

Keep it classy–everyone loves a Christmas tree, but keep it simple. Flashing lights will detract from the rest of the room and tinsel can be tacky. Think classic white lights and traditional baubles rather than personalised balls or those battered salt dough stars from the nursery years!

Ditch the dancing Santas

Ditch the dancing Santas–you may find singing and dancing Christmas characters hilarious, but your potential buyer or renter wants to see your property, not Rudolf’s nose flashing on and off. Tidy shelving, windowsills and mantelpieces make any room look larger and allow people to imagine how they could personalise your space–without a knitted nativity or a choir of heavenly angels to contend with.

Turn the light show off–

Turn the light show off–climate change is real. So go for cheery and welcoming but minimal Christmas lighting. The planet–and your neighbours–will thank you.

Add value to virtual viewings

Add value to virtual viewings – now that millions of people around the country are facing tier 4 restrictions, virtual viewings are back–if they ever left us! It is likely that you will be asked to upload your own images and walk-through videos and we’ve seen some horrors in the last few months. So stop and think how your home will look on a device; clear the clutter and let your home speak for itself. There are plenty more tips for selling your home, whether it’s December or July, on the Money Supermarket website and for lettings, you can find more advice at Propertymark here.So why not look? Then deflate the life size Santa, make your viewings worthy of the home you hope to sell or rent and start 2021 on the nice list!