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Selling Your Home During the Holiday Season

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with First Class Waterfront Properties, LLC - Acquisitions and Divestitures BK3256142

Selling Your Home During the Holiday Season

Many homeowners believe that trying to sell their home during the holiday season is an impossible task; I disagree. Yes, it can be a little more challenging, but it is not impossible to sell your home during this time of the year. Many homeowners take their home off the market during the holiday season, which reduces your competition in the real estate marketplace. If you do decide to sell your home during the holidays, remember a few simple rules. First of all, don't over decorate your house. You don't want to turn away potential home buyers by hiding your home's valuable assets behind too many decorations. Lights hanging from the roof and inflatable outdoor decorations are taste specific - in order to appeal to the largest segment of buyers you want to keep your decorating to a minimum. If you feel the need to share your holiday spirit, remember: keep it simple, tasteful, and elegant. First impressions are lasting impressions.

Once you get them in the front door, don't send them running for the door by over doing the inside of your house. The same rule applies - keep it simple, tasteful, and elegant. Staging a home during the holidays is different from decorating your home during the holidays. Remember, clutter (no matter how attractive) is still clutter. You are showcasing your home, not your holiday collections. Your goal is to make buyers want to live in your home, to imagine their own celebrations in your house. To invoke warm fuzzy feelings try simmering cinnamon in a pot on the stove.

Christmas trees. I love Christmas trees. I love to decorate Christmas trees. I have an incredible (if I do say so myself) collection of Christmas tree decorations in a variety of color schemes and themes. I could probably open a Christmas tree shop. Do I use everything I have? Yes! BUT not at the same time. Each year I decide on my color palette and theme, then I decorate my tree using only those items. All of the other beautiful decorations I have collected over the years, get put away - once I have taken a few moments to look at them, admire them, and remember all of the wonderful memories associated with each piece. So what's my point? Don't overdue it. Just because you have an abundant collection doesn't mean you have to show it to every potential home buyer who looks at your home. You want them to admire your home (their new home) - you don't want them distracted by your exquisite collection.

And speaking of Christmas trees, select an appropriate size for your home. If the tree is too large, it will make your home look crowded and small. In this particular instance, size does matter. Make sure your tree placement is not obstructing a beautiful view, a walkway, or a door.

Keep these simple suggestions in mind and take advantage of this opportunity to sell your home during the holdiay season. Make selling your home easier by working with a professional real estate agent and a home stager - a winning team can have you in your new home faster.

Comments (8)

Lori Cain
Own Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

I once wrote a sales contract on Christmas Day. What some people don't realize is that there are some Buyers who NEED to buy during the winter months and holidays. Inventory is reduced BECAUSE many people take their homes off the market. This reduces your competition, so stick it out!

Nov 24, 2009 05:05 AM
Kate Talarico
Kates Home Staging and Interior Design - Goshen, NY
RESA, Top Orange County Home Decorator & Stager

I bought my first home in March 2004, we looked through the entire Winter. There were less houses on the market, but our Realtor was also able to give us extra attention. 

Keep your decorations simple and elegant, less is more when you are selling.  Very nice post, well written.

Nov 24, 2009 10:04 AM
Kate Paris
First Class Waterfront Properties, LLC - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Orlando, FL
Broker: Residential - Commercial - Hotels

Lori, what a great Christmas present for the seller! You are absolutely correct, homes sell during the winter month too - and they do so with less competition.

Kate, you are living proof that buyers are still looking to purchase through the winter months.

Thanks for stopping by ladies!

Nov 25, 2009 04:34 AM
Patty Hill, Broker Associate
Local Homes and Land, Inc - Summerville, SC
Local Homes and Land, Inc

Catherine, Keeping it simple is key.  I do agree with Kate, less is more. Great post.

Nov 30, 2009 12:41 AM
melody salazar
Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

Catherine - I agree that homes should stay on the market during the holidays for exactly the reasons you state.  I also agree on your holiday decorating advice.  When I'm doing consults right now, I look to see if there is a truly good spot for a tree that will not distract or obstruct.  If I don't see a good location, I advise against even putting up a tree.  I will advise clients to use restraint and put out a minimal amount of decorations - and keep it tasteful. I did have one client who asked if we did holiday staging, which would include decorations.  Will be blogging about that unusual request.

Mel

Nov 30, 2009 12:48 AM
Kate Paris
First Class Waterfront Properties, LLC - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Orlando, FL
Broker: Residential - Commercial - Hotels

Patty, thanks for stopping by.

Melody, can't wait to read your blog about holdiay staging. Thanks for stopping by.

Nov 30, 2009 02:26 PM
Anne Vigneri
CASA VERO Staging & Redesign - Albuquerque, CA
Serving the Mariposa California

If the home is occupied the home owner will probably need to be coached a bit so that the holiday decor doesn't get overdone. No eight foot trees please!  If we are talking about a staged vacant property, keep in mind that any and all holiday stuff will not only need to put in place by you but will need to be removed quickly after January first! 

I would caution against using anything with religious overtones.. Keep it to greenery and not much more..

Dec 04, 2009 06:54 AM
Kate Paris
First Class Waterfront Properties, LLC - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Orlando, FL
Broker: Residential - Commercial - Hotels

Anne, thanks for stopping by. Wise words about the vacant homes and removing all of the holiday decor immediately after January first.

Dec 06, 2009 07:30 AM