Overdoing Xmas decorations could deter buyers

We surveyed the nation’s homebuyers to find out exactly what is too much when it comes to dressing our homes with festive cheer, and just what decorations could deter buyers from purchasing.

We found that a quarter (24%) of homebuyers would be discouraged from viewing a home listed for sale if it had excessive outdoor Christmas lights and decorations.

What's more, is that 23% of purchasers would be put off if the interior of the home continued with the over-the-top theme.

Buyers deterred from a second viewing

A massive 38% of potential buyers stated that they wouldn't bother giving a property a second chance if they were already put off from viewing it during Christmas.

As a result, overdoing it on the decorations could be disastrous for the nation’s home sellers, potentially scuppering their sales. To make matters worse, many buyers are entering a cooling market that's already falling.

What decorations are best to avoid?

We discovered that the number one deterrent for UK homebuyers were decorations in sexually suggestive positions, followed by those making rude gestures such as hand signals.

A blowup Santa came next in the most detrimental decoration to your sale. Which was followed by big flashing wall-mounted Christmas lights, a life-sized reindeer and sleigh, and lastly, festive-themed front door mats.

What decoration is the least likely to put off buyers?

Fairy lights, whether they be multi-coloured or the more neutral white, were the least biggest turn off to potential buyers.

‘A Blank canvas works best when attracting potential buyers’ - GetAgent CEO Colby Short

“There’s no harm in getting into the Christmas spirit and for some, a drive around the local area to check out the brightest and best Christmas light displays is as big a part of Christmas as the turkey itself.

But if you’re in the process of trying to sell your home, you may want to think twice before you deck the halls with Santa in a sex position or a big inflatable snowman.

Selling at Christmas is no different to any time of year and you have to remember that not everyone will share your particular tastes, or sense of humour for that matter.

A blank canvas works best when it comes to attracting potential buyers and if your home is covered in Christmas decorations, it can be hard for them to get a true sense of the property.

This will almost always work against you and could see you scupper the sale of your home, particularly in the current market now that buyer demand levels are starting to subside.”

Data and methodology

Would you be deterred from viewing a home if they had an over the top level of outdoor Christmas lights displayed when you arrived to view it?

Would you be deterred from viewing a home if they had an over the top level of Christmas decorations displayed inside?

Which of the following external Christmas decorations would you find off-putting?

If you were deterred from viewing an overly festive home, what would you do?