Last Updated on December 3, 2025 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging
Planning a post-holiday home sale? It’s a process that requires thoughtful preparation and a careful strategy. Selling a home isn’t just a transaction; it’s a presentation, and the first impression can make all the difference. As you prepare, it’s important to understand that potential buyers have certain expectations. For example, homebuyers assume a clean, organized, updated home has been well-maintained. And just as importantly, they make the opposite assumption about dirty, cluttered, or dated homes.
Don’t underestimate the impact of a well-prepared home on your selling journey. Let’s take a look at three essential steps that will not only enhance your property’s appeal but also position it as a “show-ready” gem in the competitive post-holiday real estate market.
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Our online course Easy DIY Home Staging for Home Sellers™ shows you exactly which projects matter most, how to wow buyers, and how to stage every room with confidence. From furniture layouts to décor tricks and stress-free selling strategies, you’ll learn how to create that irresistible first impression buyers can’t resist.
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Is It Better to Sell Before or After Christmas?
The decision to sell before or after Christmas depends on your personal circumstances and goals. Selling shortly after the holidays can help you attract motivated buyers eager to make a purchase, while waiting until later may allow the market to stabilize. Regardless of timing, it’s crucial to make sure your home is well-prepared and “show-ready.” A clean, decluttered, and beautifully staged home can make a strong impression and stand out in any market, increasing your chances of a successful sale.
How to Get My House Ready for a Sale After the Holidays
1. Pare Down the Primary Closet
“This house has way too much storage!” said no buyer ever. An empty closet shows better with buyers than one packed full of clothes and miscellaneous items. That being said, emptying all the closets is not practical for most homeowners. Concentrate on the most important closet in a home buyer’s decision-making process: the primary bedroom or owners’ suite closet. Organize, eliminate, and get stuff off the floor.
For more detailed info on how to organize your closet for staging, check out our book, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging, available on Amazon, or enroll in our self-paced, online homeowner’s course, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging for Home Sellers.
2. Begin De-Personalizing
Buyers need to be able to walk into your home and easily envision their family living there. They do not need to be reminded that they are guests in someone else’s home. Start packing family photos, collections, sports memorabilia, and anything related to your hobbies or religion. This may feel especially difficult during the holiday season. However, if you plan to go on the market at the first of the year, set yourself up for a faster sale by starting the de-personalization process now.
3. Take Care of Any Maintenance, Repairs, or Updates
Leaky faucets, that one light switch that doesn’t work, the places on the wall that need touch-up paint…the list goes on and on for most homeowners. NOW is the time to start updating or fixing all those things you’ve been putting off. One trick we use with our clients is blue painter’s tape: stick a small piece on every spot in your house that needs maintenance or updating. The tape pieces are a constant visual “to-do” list that you can work on in the months leading up to your listing.
How Three Bears Home Staging Can Help You Prepare for a Post-Holiday Home Sale
When it comes to preparing for a post-holiday home sale, it’s extremely hard for most sellers to be objective about their own home. Investing in a professional home staging consultation before you list your home for sale will help you learn about how to show your home in its best light and give you more time to make the changes needed to get you a faster sale and a higher profit. Take a look below at all the ways we can help!
Vannessa Rhoades
Vannessa Rhoades is the author of Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging and the founder of the award-winning firm, Three Bears Home Staging®. She specializes in providing positive, empowering virtual consultations that help homeowners and real estate agents all across the country sell more quickly and for more money.
