Christmas decor reduces the sale of your home

THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS THAT REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SELLING YOUR HOME

Can Christmas decorations reduce your chances of selling your home? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Although a bit of festive cheer has never harmed a house sale, there are several big nos where it comes to decorating fro Christmas if you're also conducting home viewings. If you want to find how to sell a house faster around Christmas time, follow these tips on decorations to avoid. 1. COLORED, FLASHING LIGHTS

Fairy lights make your home more attractive during the dark season, but careful when choosing them. Estate agents warn that ‘colored, flashing lights aren’t everyone’s preference, and whilst some like the spirit they bring, they can put people off.’ Top tip is to ‘opt for a more tailored and sophisticated palette with white lights. This creates a more neutral, all-round aesthetic appealing to more.’ The best Christmas lights are always the more neutral ones if you want to sell. 2. LARGE EXTERIOR DECORATIONS

That inflatable Santa needs to go, sadly, if you want to sell. Agents advice is clear: ‘avoid the large inflatable decorations or reindeer on the roof.’ Instead, ‘keep it classy with a single welcoming door wreath or holly and ivy. Less is more when it comes to exterior decorations, especially if you have a for-sale sign in the garden.’ 3. DECOR THAT COVERS UP ATTRACTIVE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

If you have so many decorations up that people can’t actually see the shape of the house, or are unable to make out attractive timber beams on your ceiling, you’re in trouble. Be mindful of covering up ‘any structure or feature in your home which may be of interest to potential buyers. This could be something as simple as an oak stair rail or the mantelpiece. Remember: less is more.’ 4. WINDOW DECORATIONS THAT BLOCK OUT NATURAL LIGHT

Christmas window displays can look great, but if they take up all of your windows, your home will feel dark and dingy. Natural light is essential for viewings, so make sure your decorating efforts don’t block any natural light.’ he also advises being mindful of not blocking out natural light with your Christmas tree – ‘try placing your holiday pride away from any windows, and if you must, make sure the natural light still flows in.’

5. LOUD DECORATIONS ON A NEIGHBOR’S HOME

This one is trickier than the others to resolve, but ‘unfortunately it’s not just your own decorations that can put buyers off, it’s your neighbors’ too. Neighbors are a huge part for people moving house, and to see loud and garish decorations next door could certainly put potential buyers off.’ This may or may not work, but ‘If you know your neighbours well, perhaps just let them know you are trying to sell over the festive period and to be mindful of potential buyers.’

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NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT HAINES WATTS BRISTOL Under the leadership of managing director Matthew Bracher, staff numbers at Haines Watts Bristol have grown from 20 to 60 in the past five years, with turnover rising threefold in the same period. The company is forging a reputation for promoting young talent, having recently established a scheme with St Brendan’s College to recruit and train up to four new apprentices each year straight out of sixth form.

The Bristol office of accountancy firm Haines Watts has announced the appointment of Conor O’Sullivan as associate director. Even five years ago, Conor was tasked with solo visits to clients as a 21-yearold. He said the experience, combined with his time as a talented professional footballer – before being released from service with Southampton FC aged 18 – had left him resilient and confident in taking on new challenges.

Conor has worked with the city centre SME specialist accountancy practice for the past six years after joining as a trainee straight after an apprenticeship with a small local firm.

Now, aged just 29 he joins two other associate directors, alongside three full directors, in the company’s management team. “I’d certainly say that stepping outside my comfort zone has been a crucial part of my progression,” he said. “That’s not something that you’ll experience with many companies.

“I’ve worked really hard to achieve this promotion, so it’s nice to be recognised for all my efforts,” he said. “I’m grateful to the directors for putting their faith in me and I’m looking forward to the added responsibility of scaling up my client-facing duties. “It’s also satisfying to be part of a business which nurtures young talent and is unafraid to put people outside their comfort zone, recognising the longerterm benefits of investing time and effort in training. “We have a strong team here and I’m keen to continue playing my part in helping it, and the services we offer our clients, to develop.” “However there’s a culture here that if you give young people responsibility then they will rise to the challenge. I like to think I embody that philosophy and I’d like to be an example to other young accountants, to show that they should set their sights high and recognise the value of ambition.”

Matthew Bracher, managing director at Haines Watts Bristol, said: “Conor has worked diligently for us since he joined, particularly over the past year or so during a time of transition for the company. So we are delighted to reward him with this well-deserved promotion. “He’s going to be an integral part of our client-facing work going forward as we develop our base of SME businesses in the Bristol city region. We’re excited to watch his continued progression.”

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