Articles and Advice

How to Prepare Your Home for Holiday Season Showings

Having your home on the market during the holidays can complicate an already busy time of year. There may be family gatherings to plan, gifts arriving at the door, and decorations scattered around the house. Meanwhile, buyers still need opportunities to see the property.

You don't have to put the holidays on hold while selling. A few adjustments can help you enjoy the season without having to rearrange everything whenever someone requests a showing.

Keep Decorations From Taking Over the Rooms

Holiday decorations can make a home feel inviting, but they also change how buyers see the space.

A large Christmas tree might look beautiful while making it difficult to judge the living room's size. Garland draped across a stairway could hide details buyers want to examine. Even small decorations can make countertops and shelves appear crowded.

Keep windows, doorways, and architectural features visible, and leave enough room to walk comfortably around furniture. There's no need to eliminate decorations entirely. Just be selective about what goes where.

Make Room for the Extra Holiday Clutter

The holidays tend to bring more belongings into the house, sometimes faster than there's time to put them away.

Packages arrive, wrapping supplies pile up, and extra coats end up near the entrance. If you're hosting guests, you may also have additional bedding and luggage to accommodate.

Designate a few places where these belongings can be stored out of sight rather than trying to clear everything before each showing.

Avoid stuffing closets completely full, though. Buyers may open them to see how much storage the home offers.

Pay Attention to Lighting as Days Get Shorter

Late-afternoon showings can feel very different during the colder months. By the time buyers arrive, some rooms may already be dark.

Walk through the house around the time showings are likely to occur. Are any rooms poorly lit? Do lamps leave dark corners? Are there burned-out bulbs you've been meaning to replace?

Keep window coverings open during daytime appointments, and make sure exterior entry lights work for evening visits.

Plan Showings Around Holiday Commitments

You may already have parties, overnight guests, or travel plans on the calendar. Waiting until a showing request arrives to sort out conflicts can create unnecessary stress.

Talk with your real estate agent about your availability before the busiest part of the season. Identify dates when showings would be difficult, along with times when you're more flexible.

Buyers may have complicated schedules of their own. You don't need to make every hour available, but clear communication makes scheduling easier.

Take Care of the Entrance Before Each Showing

The entrance is one of the first places buyers experience, and holiday activity can leave it looking untidy.

Make sure shoes, coats, deliveries, and decorations aren't blocking the doorway. Keep doormats clean, and check for wet flooring during rainy or snowy weather.

Outdoor walkways and steps should also be clear of snow and ice. If you're using extension cords for holiday lighting, keep them away from walking areas.

Keep Your Home Show Ready Without Missing the Holidays

Selling during the holidays doesn't require maintaining a perfectly staged home every hour of the day.

Establish a simple routine that makes last-minute preparation easier. Put away dishes after meals, keep shared areas reasonably organized, and have a place for belongings that tend to accumulate.

Your real estate agent can help you manage showing requests and work around commitments that matter to your household. The holidays may change your schedule, but they don't have to prevent buyers from seeing what your home has to offer.

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