Is Your Hamptons Home Ready to Party? Home Staging During the Holidays

During the summer months, luxurious pools, waterfront properties and impeccable landscaping top the list of sought-after features, but we can’t forget about the other seven or eight months in between. The holiday season is a great opportunity to offer another perspective to potential buyers.

Of course, not many people would buy a home solely based on holiday décor, but it may actually play a part in their decision making, whether they realize it or not. We tend to gravitate to homes that we can easily imagine living in. When a home evokes an emotional connection or a traditional feel, it grabs our attention.

Curb appeal is everything—the first impression we have of a home is its exterior. We can imagine what it looks like behind the façade, but until we enter the home, we have to rely on our imagination to guide us. Keep in mind, if a potential buyer is in love with the outside of your home, they will definitely want to see the rest.

Interior design experts and staging professionals have raised the bar and set the tone for quick and successful home sales. Their insightful recommendations, creativity and skills allow them to provide clients with superior standards necessary for creating the perfect setting.

“What sells a home is love at first sight,” commented interior designer and professional stager, Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold.

We can learn a great deal from design experts, but we can also pick up some top-notch decorating tips by simply flipping through the pages of Elle Décor, HGTV Magazine, Luxe Interior + Design or Martha Stewart Living. Start by marking the pages for the ideas and styles you like. Once you have a visual concept, the rest is easy.

If you don’t hire a stager or interior designer, the East End has a variety of stores that offer stylish décor and accessories for the home. Hildreth’s Home Goods (Main Street, Southampton) carries a wide selection of holiday décor for the inside and outside, gifts, furniture, tabletop, bath accessories and much more. At Sea Green Designs (Jobs Lane, Southampton) shop from their special collection of holiday throw pillows, unique accessories and home accents that will make any room festive. If you’re looking for an eclectic selection of elegant holiday designs and home accessories, English Country Antiques (Bridgehampton and Southampton) is a must. ECA is a heaven for interior designers and homeowners—offering fine furnishings, linens, collectibles, bedding and table décor.

Showings are crucial to selling your home and during the colder months, the weather can be dreary and clients don’t often like to venture out. It’s important to keep spirits high by creating a pleasant atmosphere. Here are a few tips to consider.

1. Fragrant candles: Pumpkin and apple are always a great choice in the fall and sage, cinnamon and festive blends of Mandarin, pine, orange and eucalyptus are fabulous during the holidays.

2. Keep your home at a warm and cozy temperature.

3. Play soft music in the background.

4. Make sure your walkways and driveways are always maintained, free from debris, snow and ice.

5. Always update your photos. During the off-season, potential buyers will be curious to see what the home looks like during the spring and summer months.

The key to selling your home during the holiday season is to not go overboard. Less is more and a little classic traditional style can go a long way. The winter months are known for being less active, but with inventory being at a low point, the homes that are available will attract a broader buyers market.