Tone down tinsel

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 17, 2006 – The holiday season is almost here. For home sellers, that adds an extra challenge in prepping their home for sale.

While miniature Christmas villages, big fir trees and festive lights may warm up a home for its occupants, potential buyers may be turned off. "The perception in the buyer's mind is clutter," says home stager Sara Chadwick of ReArrangements in San Antonio. If your client feels it is absolutely necessary to decorate, you should at least persuade them to avoid overt religious symbols because that may offend some buyers.

"You can get away with a small nativity set or the Hanukkah candles," says Kat Thompson, a San Antonio real estate practitioner and professional stager. Wreaths on the front door or simple candles on the table have stagers' approval, but nothing big or ostentatious.

"Those mom and pop Santa Clauses? No, no, no," says Carol Adamson of the home staging firm Haskell House Studio.

Source: San Antonio Express-News, Jennifer Hiller (11/10/2006)

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