Selling? 10 tips for decorating your porch for the holidays

Are you one of the thousands of sellers who has your home on the market this holiday season?  Are you torn between whether or not you should decorate at all?  Depending on which article you read, or who you speak with, will impact the advice and opinion you receive.  I am always pro-decorating for the holidays, with one simple caveat - it must be tasteful decor!  No big plastic Santa on the roof.  Or oversized inflatables on the front yard...

Plenty of people disagree with me and believe instead that holiday decorations increase the risk of offending someone.  In over 20 years of selling real estate, I have never had a buyer be offended by holiday decorations.  Instead, the decorated homes tend to appear a bit more welcoming, and warmer - which is an added bonus during a Chicago winter!

Just keep the decor tasteful.  Simple.  Soft.  Tone it down from your typical annual display.  Garlands on a staircase, garnished with twinkling lights.  A lightly staged mantled, dressed with stockings and candles.  The Christmas tree, tucked in the corner or filling the oft empty space of a bay window.

And do not forget the entry.  Especially if you are in a cold climate where a buyer will be standing, looking around, while the agent fidgets with opening the lockbox.  Again, keep it simple.  Want some ideas?  Click here to check out this post from tatertots & jello, offering 10 tips for a terrific porch display.  Happy Holidays!

 

Tis the season for tree lightings!

Although the outside temperatures more closely resemble Chicago in January, Thanksgiving is really less than a week away.  The arrival of Thanksgiving brings a ton of crazy shoppers, but more importantly, it traditionally marks the start of the holiday season.  Lake County is home to fabulous communities - to Villages and Cities who make a remarkable effort to provide an abundance of fabulously fun events for residents.  Many of the communities structure several hours of activities around their tree lighting ceremonies, with quite a few including parades, Santa's arrival, and performances by student bands and choirs.  And, these events help stretch your holiday budget farther - they are all FREE!

Lake County Community Lighting Festivals begin this weekend, and continue on into December. Here are some dates to mark on your calendar (for more details, visit the Lake County blog by clicking here):

November 22
Highland Park 3-5

November 28
Antioch 6-8
Fox Lake 6:30
Grayslake 5:30-8
Lake Forest 3:30-7
Libertyville 7
Round Lake Beach 6

November 29
Fox Lake Parade 11am
Lake Villa 5-7
Lake Zurich 4-6
Vernon Hills 4:30

December 5
Hawthorn Woods 6
Mundelein 6:30-8
Wauconda 6

December 6
Barrington 1-6:30
Island Lake 6
Lindenhurst 4:30-6
Round Lake 2-6
Waukegan 10-6
Winthrop Harbor 4:30

December 7
Lincolnshire 5:30-6:30

Want the ultimate kitchen? Try these tips...

Ahhhhh...the holiday season is quickly approaching.  For some people, that means spending extra time in the kitchen - or worse yet, having lots of guests spend extra time in your kitchen.

In the world of real estate, the kitchen is generally the center of the home.  It tends to be a major focal point of buyers, and it usually is the most expensive room in the house.  And the room that we spend the most time in.  Not only to prepare and eat meals, it also serves as a homework space, hobby nook, home office and entertainment hub.  Have you ever noticed how many people congregate in the kitchen, whenever you invite a group to your home?

Better Homes & Garden put together 25 Tips to Get the Ultimate Kitchen.  While some are a bit more extensive (& expensive) to pull off, there are also some simple ideas that can easily be completed in time for the holidays.  Love your kitchen, it is such an important part of your home!

What one change could you make today?

12 items to put on your November checklist...

With temps in the 30's, and first snowfall out of the way, the timing of this checklist from Houzz is perfect. Winter is just around the corner. Is your house ready for it?

See the 12 items here

Thank you. Today and Everyday.