The holidays are finally here! You might have to keep the celebratory urges in check if you are planning to sell your home next year. Many holiday season activities can come back to haunt you when your home is on the market, even if it is months later.
Here are five holiday splurges to avoid if you want to have a smooth home selling process next year.
1. Do not use decorations that could damage your house
We know you want to display your merry holiday spirit. But you should avoid any decor that could leave behind damage you will have to repair later. This includes marks on the floor, holes in the walls and screws that mar the side of the house. If you have a real Christmas tree, be careful not to let spilled water sit on laminate or hardwood flooring. This can warp and stain. It should also go without saying that you don’t want to paint walls with dramatic colors. You should save the winter wonderland mural for another year.
Think about curb appeal also. Avoid blow-up animals and reindeer in the front yard. When you take these decorations out, they leave spots on the grass that will be dead for months afterward.
2. Do not clutter your house with holiday presents
Don’t purchase a bunch of gifts that are going to have to be hidden away after the new year. If you have small children with toys all over the place, we advise packing it all away in a container under the stairs or somewhere people will not see it.
The basic organizational rule is that you don’t want your closets to look like it is bursting at the seams. This will give the impression there is not enough storage.
Remember that you are going to have to move all that stuff after you sell the house. You will thank yourself at packing time if you spring for a gift certificate or jewelry instead of sports equipment or kitchen gadgets.
3. Don’t purchase furniture that won’t fit your future home
This is is another prime gift-giving no-no. You should avoid shelling out for furniture, appliances or anything that is specific to your current home’s layout. That sparkling new washer-dryer set is probably going to be a gift for the home buyers, since appliances typically stay with the home. When it comes to sheds, grills and anything bulky, you are going to either gift it to your home buyers in a few months or pay someone to move it. Save the heavy stuff for 2018.
4. Do not take on debt during the holidays
2017 is not the year to live out your new car with a giant bow on it fantasies. Taking on some debt, whether it is credit card debt or a car or boat loan, could hurt your chances of getting approved for a mortgage when you are ready to buy your next house. Don’t go out and purchase expensive things. A mortgage lender will take note and it could work against you.
5. Do not surprise the family with a new pet
The holidays are a common time for families to get a new pet. There are even adoption drives based around getting a pet for the holidays. But right before you are ready to sell your home is not a terrific time to be housetraining a puppy or teaching a cat not to scratch the couch.
Showing a home with a pet could be challenging enough even when it is not a new pet. However much you are longing for a cat or dog, it just makes sense to wait until after the next move.
Do you have a question about buying a home? Click here to contact Kortney Williams today!