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Should Sellers Take Their Home Off The Market During the Holidays?

'Tis the season, and one might think the last thing on anyone's mind is to buy a house during the holidays. In fact, it's a great time to sell a home, especially this year as consumers look to take advantage of low interest rates. In general, buyers tend to be more serious and have extra time to look at houses together this time of year.

Consider these other benefits of keeping your home listed during the holiday season:

• First and foremost, your house definitely isn't going to sell if it's not even listed. By leaving it on the market, you are likely to attract the motivated buyers who tend to house hunt during the holidays.

• Buck convention. If everyone else takes their home off the market -- thereby reducing inventory -- but you leave yours on, there is a greater chance of a buyer viewing and purchasing your home.

• When tastefully decorated for the holidays, a home is extra inviting. During this time of the year, buyers will be able to easily envision their own family celebrating in the cozy environs of your home.

SOURCE: Weichert Insights

7 Ways to Make a Small Size Room Look Larger

Here are seven designer tricks you can do to help make a small room appear much larger:

1. Use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.  This creates the illusion of a larger room.

2. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. 

3. Use a limited number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling. 

4. Light-colored flooring will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling-use white to "open up" the space above. 

5. Add wall mirrors to increase the appearance of the size of the room. They reflect light and color.

6. Don't place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two small chairs. 

7. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will create the appearance of an open space.