How To Stage Before The Holidays

According to the Iowa Association of Realtors, in August 2020 there was a total of 4,448 listings sold with an average days on market of 56. Compare this to last winter in January 2020, the Iowa Associations of Realtors said there were only 2,132 listing sold with an average of 70 days on market. These numbers just show that from summer to winter, your days on market increase, but the number of listings are less. Those buyers looking for a home to purchase in the winter months are serious buyers. This means that if you are listing your house durning the holidays that your online marketing needs spot on.

With the holidays right around the corner, now is the time properties have the potential to just sit on the market if it is not marketed properly. What is worse than a sitting property? Being able to time stamp a sitting property. What do I mean by this? Your holiday decor is standing in the way of buyers envisioning themselves in your home, especially around the holidays. If you are anything like me, then you probably have your house fully decked out for the holidays. This is great when you are in your own home. However, when you are in a property that you are trying to sale, not so much!

As soon as you make the decision to list your home, it is no longer your home, it is a property that you need to market to sell.  You do not want your online photos to show holiday decor, because it instantly dates your home. If your property is one that sits through most of winter, or into spring, everyone who sees your photos online knows it’s been sitting for a while because your holiday decor lets them know when you initially listed your property. 

Now, I am not saying that you are not allowed to put up any of your holiday decor up this season. Just don’t put it out for photos. Your online photos need to feel timeless. After your photos have been taken, you can bring some out. Buyers are going to realize what time of the year it is and understand once they are in your space. However, you don’t need to feel like the little small town inn from a Hallmark movie. Keep it simple and only put out what you need or give yourself an out for the year and leave them packed because if you stage correctly, the house will sell and you will be moving soon!

Don’t throw your hard earned money out the window with price reductions! Call me at 515-986-1895 or email me KATIE@ElizabethErinDesigns.com and I will help you come up with a personalized plan to protect your investment! Do you want to hear more of our signature home staging tips and tricks? Check out my blog on How To Use Teaser Shots To Get More Showings Today! or Top 7 Tips To Sell Your House For Top Dollar. Until next time!