Hold the tinsel! Ditch the mistletoe! The house won’t sell…

We’re sure agents have been working hard to urge vendors to take it easy on the dodgy decorations if there are viewings taking place at the moment - and here’s evidence of why it pays to be careful.

Bankrate UK spoke with 1,000 people who have been to view homes for sale which have been decorated, and asked for specifics on what tinsel-tactic features put them off the most. 

Firstly no fewer than 60 per cent admitted to having been deterred by decorations in principle, with the biggest specific turn-off (for 26 per cent) being large inflatable Christmas characters.

Another 23 per cent found electronic characters like Waving Santas or Moving Reindeer) the most off-putting.

Then came religious scenes and statues (23 per cent) closely followed by the overall feeling of internal clutter (22 per cent).

Excessive external lights - we’ve all seen them - put off 20 per cent.

Nisha Vaidya, mortgage expert at Bankrate UK, says: “While decorations are wonderful, homeowners looking to sell their property in December should be mindful that buyers may not have the same taste in festive decor. 

“For example, too many decorations can make a property appear small and cramped or can be too distracting for buyers who are trying to envision themselves in the home. Sellers should consider their buyers when decorating for Christmas.”

Agents who may be feeling distinctly un-Christmassy because their vendors have gone over the top with the festive features may want to show them this story…