Nice weather and a few decorations can make winter a merry good time to buy or sell a home.

"Houses sell all year round," says Nick Kavounas, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker, Heritage Real Estate. "If someone asks me when is the best time to put their house on the market, I say, `now.' As long as there isn't a lot of snow that damages homes or keeps people trapped inside, there'll be a good market."

Kavounas says the winter slump most Realtors experience is largely self-imposed. "The real challenge is to keep agents motivated. An agent's perception is that because it's Thanksgiving there's nothing to do until January, which is a big mistake. An agent should explain to sellers that there are buyers out there -- not as many, but very motivated buyers.

"And because there are fewer houses on the market, the seller might possibly get a little more for their house than they could in April or May."

Realtors agree that there is less activity during the winter. "Although fewer buyers are looking at homes during the holidays, those buyers that are looking tend to be more serious," says Loren Keim of Century 21 Keim Realtors. "There are always relocations, job transfers, divorces, leases that are ending and other situations that lead to home sales every month."

Julie Fox, an associate broker with Patt-White Co. Realtors, says: "Sometimes sellers take their home off the market for the winter. I suggest they keep trying because the competition is less intense during the holidays and there is a greater likelihood that someone who is more serious about buying a house will find yours."

There are also advantages for the buyer. Those same people who are looking to buy a home, may also need to sell one. "The best time to look at a house may be in the winter," says Fox. "Buyers might get a more reasonable price because the seller needs to move fast."

Interest rates are low for buyers, says Kavounas. "Also, if people keep their home on the market in winter, that may mean they may want to settle before the end of the year for tax reasons or before the holidays for personal reasons. This could make the price more attractive."

According to the Lehigh Valley Association of Realtors, during November last year, 369 homes sold in the Lehigh Valley. In May, the peak month of the year, 530 homes sold, about 30 percent more. Overall, home sales are running ahead of last year's numbers.

However, at any time of year, if the price is right, the house will sell. But, the winter offers a special opportunity for what Realtors call staging. Staging means to make a house look its best, and during the holidays most people decorate with their most special ornaments.

"Our homes always look the best during holidays," says Judy Mazzeo, also of Century 21 Keim Realtors. "If a house is staged properly, it will sell more quickly and closer to the list price than other homes.

"Most buyers select their home based on emotion and then justify the decision with facts, so it's important to make the house inviting and homey," Mazzeo adds.

Kavounas says: "If someone was going to put their house on the market now and asked about decorating, I'd say, `Knock yourself out.' As long as it doesn't look cluttered, make it as festive as possible.

"I also recommend that if people have pictures of their house in spring or summer, especially if they have a pool or nice landscaping, to put them out for buyers to see."

Fox suggests that sellers "make sure the house is well lit with tasteful decorations. Holiday baking makes a home smell good and more desirable. And if you have a fireplace, light a fire."

Most Realtors and professional decorators have their favorite tricks of the trade, yet all of them suggest some standard tips for showing a house in winter:

* Keep the walks and driveway clear of leaves, ice and snow.

* Make sure the outside is well lit with high wattage bulbs.

* Holiday lights in trees or shrubs may make the house more eye-catching from the street.

* The room buyers will see first -- the foyer or living room -- should be made inviting with tasteful decorations.

* Try to keep the home as clean and uncluttered as possible.

If you're not comfortable making decorating decisions, consider hiring a professional. Mazzeo hired Geri Stigler who owns Victoria's, a flower and gift shoppe and tea room in Emmaus, and who also is a professional decorator. She added a few holiday touches to the home photographed for this story. Occasionally, a Realtor or home owner hires Stigler to stage a house.

"What I do around the holidays is go into the house and only use decorations they already have," she says. "I go in and let them show me what they have. Then I like to sleep on it and let my imagination run wild."

Stigler says it is amazing what can be done with stuff in an attic. One time she found a sled and a wooden picture frame that she placed inside a 10-foot tree as ornaments. "The biggest mistake people make," Stigler says, "is thinking they have to go out and spend a lot of money on garland and other decorations. Why buy greenery when out in the back yard most people have all kinds of shrubbery and bushes and trees?"

Stigler likes to take from the natural environment of a house and incorporate that into the decorations. "So many of the houses around here have trailing ivy," she says. "I use that. I cut it, put it in water and leave it in the refrigerator for about a week. Then I tuck it into the Christmas tree, around the fireplace, or in the garland. And it will last for several weeks. Normally, people would never dream of going out and cutting their ivy for Christmas decorations."