I've been asked this several times in the past week: "Is it okay to decorate my home for the holidays when I have it listed?"

My answer has always been: "If you want to."

The more I think about it - that doesn't sound like professional advice - kind of like shrugging my shoulders and giving a Jeff Foxworthy-esc "Yah-ump-too."  Analyzing it a bit further and reaching back to the advice we give all year is - depersonalize the home so we can sell.  Decking the halls to the max is hardly depersonalized.  But then again, tis the season.

Think, think think, it's hardly fair to give a resounding "No." and then I remembered.  One of the core fundamentals I learned in my staging courses was compromise. In this situation, compromise doesn't mean "go a head and decorate your house so you can see it from space," but a mere modest sampling of your FAVORITE decorations tastefully displayed.  Of COURSE you can have a Christmas Tree decked out with ornaments, and heck - even lights on your house - just make sure it doesn't distract or completely stand out in your neighborhood, because as much as you may like it - the potential buyer may not.  

 My advice: Keep it simple, take it down after Christmas.

What are your thoughts?