Take the Home Off the Market or Stay the Course—What Should a Seller Do During the Holidays?

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Take the Home Off the Market or Stay the Course—What Should a Seller Do During the Holidays?

It is getting to be that time of year again. The holidays are upon us but the house hasn't sold.

What should a seller do?

At first inclination most sellers opt to withdraw their home from the market believing that the preoccupation with the holiday season puts few buyers in the market. While there is truth to this belief, sellers can be ignoring another more important truth: Those buyers looking at houses during the holidays are very serious buyers.

There are not many tire-kickers running around with a Realtor when there are presents to buy and gifts to wrap. November, December and January showings are a seller's opportunity to stand out from the pack as most homes that buyers visit at this time of the year are vacant. A buyer's choices are down to model homes, empty relocation properties and foreclosures. A welcome home filled with the colorful sights, delightful sounds and wonderful aromas of the season give a unique opportunity for those wanting to sell.

Tips for Showing & Selling During the Holidays:

Decorate! Tastefully of course. This might not be the year that you do the Griswold display of lights as in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but a decorated tree, candles and wreaths can add a special touch.
Bake and leave out a Christmas Cookie or two. Why should Santa have all of the extra calories?
Light a cozy fire! Make sure the fireplace is burning bright, warm and welcoming!
Play holiday music. Leave out the barking version of Jingle Bells and go for instrumentals or uniquely Minnesota regional artists like The Blenders.
Shovel and salt the driveway and sidewalks if necessary. No one wants to spend the holidays in the emergency room with a twisted ankle.
Leave the front light on! Don't forget it is dark out during those early evening showings. Make certain buyers and their agents are able to see their way to your front door and lockbox.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

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Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes on 11/13/2007 06:32 PM

Comments (60)

realtor, selling home, home buyer, holidays, minnesota, real estate, home staging, staging tips

Originally posted at: Real Estate Blog for the North & East Twin Cities: Take the Home Off the Market or Stay the Course—What Should a Seller Do During the Holidays?

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60 Comments on Take the Home Off the Market or Stay the Course—What Should a Seller Do During the Holidays?

NOV

2007

Teri, I too believe the holiday period can be a very good time to sell a property. Inventory decreases and really only serious buyers are looking at properties during this period. I have some sellers with children that do want a break from the stress of trying to sell over the holidays then I have other properties, especially vacant ones, where are going to do serious price reductions so they stand out from the pack.

The holiday period is normally one of my busier times. So many folks are winding down where as I'm winding up for a big finish to the year and a strong first quarter of 2008.

Great information Teri! I always tell my sellers to leave it on the market because the buyers looking are serious buyers!

Thank goodness we don't need snow shovels in Florida! :)

Teri,

I agree with your post and the comments made...many people like to move in 'for Christmas', after school resumes in January, after winter, after school lets out, before summer vacation, before school starts in the late summer. These are occasions I have found to close on homes! Thanks, Fran

Teri, I just did a (not as good as yours) post on our website re. the holidays. You are right on the money- fewer houses available with serious buyers makes for a good combination!

Teri~ I agree that the house should remain on the market but I advise my sellers to keep the decorations very minimal so that the potential buyers are looking at the house, not the decorations.

I agree that the buyers out there this time of year are very serious, but I worry about having the Days on Market going up, and up, and up over the winter months, in exchange for the (arguably small) chance that a buyer will come along when one hasn't in the past few months. I don't want to be in the same situation come March but with a DOM that is twice as high!

Teri, I love your suggestions and think it's a wonderful time to sell a home; people love the decorations in most cases and it brightens everything up for them.

Holiday season can be a unique time, true many sellers that there houses off. My question is why? They weren't getting enough showings anyway. LOL Besides you never know......

I love the tips! Most of my sellers are choosing to stay on the market this year, but I do have one that is planning to take theirs off. These will be very usefule!

I took 5 contracts to a binding agreement that were all submitted in the last week. I see that there are less lookers and more buyers this time of year - they aren't just window shopping during the holiday season.

Teri, I had a fantastic holiday season last year and sold quite a few houses. My listings sold then also and I was out of town. Email and cell phones make it so easy for everyone to go on vacation, even Realtors, during the holidays. I'm a firm believer serious buyers will look anytime....and if they look during the Christmas season, they are serious.

Some of my best sales were around the holidays...you just never know....

As someone who purchased my own home on New Years Eve, I can attest that people do, in fact, purchase homes during the holidays. My last few Decembers have been quite busy and I agree that the buyers who are out there are more serious. In my opinion, decorations do make a house show so much more like a home. Soft lighting around a Christmas tree and some soft music, maybe a few holiday scented candles burning - how much better does showing a house get?!

Lisa Friedman http://www.LisaFriedman.com http://www.ViaForHealth.com

It depends. Everything depends on the particular client. Most of mine stay on the market over the holidays, for all the obvious reasons given above. If someone's adamant about taking it off, that's fine, too. Often our Rush starts December 26th rather than waiting til January 1st.

No snow here in Florida - we have boat parades, instead, and string lights on the palm trees in our yards.

Teri, I moved to Texas 11 years ago on December 22nd. You are right when people are looking during the holidays they are serious.

Terry: I think there is a lot of truth in what you wrote. I sold 5 properties in December last year. Very unexpected but sellers waited to look at properties after the leaves were off the trees. So, I think you make a very good point that buyers through the holidays are the more serious buyers and not the tire kickers. Good thin with these gas prices. I can't afford to drive around tire-kickers.

I agree, If they are looking during the holidays, they are serious buyers. It's good for sellers because there are fewer homes on the market.

Teri, Congrats on being featured and for good reasons. People love looking at homes during the holidays and they actually fall in love with them more than they would have any other season.

I had a great November , December and January last year. This year looks to be better.

In Arizona the holidays are way better than summer time generally. Here we have the "snowbirds" who come down for the holidays and then decide to buy. And here we do not have the issues of snow, sleet, hail, cold weather, and the worries of prospects tracking in the mud and snow. So it is good to have a home on the market during the holiday time frame.

Teri - As many comments have indicated, some markets actually do well during the holiday season. Our clients in the NJ market that tap into the Wall Street crowd do quite well when year-end bonuses motivate buyers to parlay their win-falls into new homes.

Hi Teri,

Congratulations on your feature. One of the reason I also think fewer sales are made between Thanksgiving and Christmas is that many agents (themselves) work less. Personally I've had some quiet Decembers and busy ones too.

One other thing I love to do with my listings at Christmas. My signs have a white post, so I take wide plastic type ribbon and decorate the sign post like a candy cane and then put a big bow on the sign. My sellers always love it and it make their's a stand-out.

Great time to pick up serious clients. I spent Dec 2000 house hunting and moved Jan of 2001. People move for all kinds of reasons and all kinds of seasons.

NOV

2007

Hi Teri, A marvelous post and one that deserves being featured. A good many years I have actually sold over the holidays. Twice on Christmas Day! Hopefully this year it will happen as well. I love your ideas on how to make it all a bit more fun though!

PS, Thanks for being such a wonderful friend! You are so kind and you are so greatly appreciated.

Teri, love that shiny gold star!

A great post, and some good comments on it too. The homes wont' sell if they are not on the market, so why take them off?

Great Post!! I've got a few of these... I can't help but laugh about the lighting a fire and salting the driveways! Can you please share some of your COLD WEATHER with us down here? We're ready to turn the A/C back on during the day because it's been so warm again!

THANKS for the COOL post! :-)

I agree, I've done a lot of selling in Nov/Dec. I think that the buyers are serious about buying and also VERY serious about at least being in contract before the worst of the winter weather hits. Westchester has been having very mild late falls and early winters. The cold doesn't really set in until Jan, but it lasts til nearly April.

I think the holidays are great - the buyers that are out there I think must be at least somewhat serious - would you go look at houses during the holidays if you did not need one?

The seller should just go with the flow ans relax...even the banks take off during the holidays:)

Bryant--I let the sellers decide as it should be a special time but not overly stressful. If they want my opinion, I tell them to keep it on if it works for them. I did have a family with many kids, grandkids and presents last year that didn't want to be on the market over the holidays. The sign stayed in the yard but they were removed from the MLS. We had a persistant buyer who called just before Christmas and saw the home the day it was back on the market. And wrote a PA.

Pam--Thanks!! We haven't needed the shovels yet...but it's coming!

Fran--People have started to move all year round in the north too. Serious buyers are the best kind to work with.

Laurie--I will have to check out your holiday post too...I am certain it is every bit as good as mind. :) Thanks for the compliment though.

Lisa--Good point...Be conservative and tasteful with the decorations...NO Grizwold Holiday Decor!

Katie--But if the house sells, DOM wont matter! My point is that homes often sell during this time period. But it has to work for the client as well. If they are game to stay on the market, I encourage it!

Carole--If the decor is not overdone, the holiday decorations can make a house feel like a home.

Missy--Over the past few years I have had a few homes that will have very few showings from Sept-Nov then be hit with several showings one or two weeks before Christmas. And get offers! Changed my mind about the seasons.

Christi--You are welcome! It doesn't work for everyone to stay on the market over the holidays but if they can, embrace the opportunity.

Julie--Congrats...That shows there are serious buyers out there, doesn't it?

Kay--Business always seems to happen when you are out of town...Isn't that one of the laws of real estate? Plan a vacation and the clients come out of the woodwork? Thanks for submitting more proof that the Holidays are a great time to be listed!

Sally--Absolutely! It is a great time to buy or sell a home!

Lisa--Exactly! The holidays give homeowners a reason to add a little pizzazz to the decor. Buyers like that...And the fact that they are serious doesn't hurt either!

Sharon--I agree that the client should make the decision as families can be stressed enought during the holidays without a last minute showing. But if they are willing, I say stay on. Also, we hope you don't get snow and frost in FL...Makes the cost of OJ and Lemons go crazy up here! :)

Marchel--The best reason to consider staying on the market...Serious Buyers just like you!

Donna--Even when gas prices were reasonable, I hate driving around tirekickers. Let them shop for something else online or at the mall. :)

Tara--Definitely a win-win situation for serious sellers and buyers.

Mana--Thanks!! My reasoning exactly...If it works for the seller to stay on the market, they should!

Jeff--See...Serious buyers and sellers in the market during the holidays! Good for you!

B&C--So far no mud and snow up here yet but it is coming. In MN people are accustomed to removing shoes in someone else's home from the time we learn to walk... :)

Bobby--That is an excellent point that many home sellers in NJ might not think of if they do not work on Wall Street. And other communities where end of the year bonuses are prevalent should take note...Thanks for the comment!

Lynda--I love the idea! Works well for me as KW colors are red and white. I will be making a candy cane or two on my listings before the snow flies!

Donna--What a great slogan: People move in all kinds of seasons for all kinds of reasons!

William--Wow--I have never sold homes on Christmas Day but have had showings and sales the weekends before and after. And you are very welcome as I value your friendship too.

Joanne--Thanks and what an excellent point! I do understand when a seller says it won't work for them but if they are open to showings over the holiday and really motivated, it can be a great time to sell!

Teri, I have to agree with you. If the seller doesn't mind having "buyers" in and out of their houses the holiday's are a great time. The house looks great all decorated and ofter smells of wonderful home made dishes.

Susie--No we cannot share the cold weather with you or the oranges will freeze! If you want to see a winter wonderland you must come to MN...Of course no snow yet so check the forecast before planning a trip! :)

Ruthmarie--We have had some pretty mild Novembers and Decembers as well. There is never a perfect time to move but only one time of year that you can put out some decorations where everyone will feel warm and welcomed without the home feeling staged.

Kevin--My point exactly!

Neal--OK, take Christmas and New Years off...Or any other bank holiday! :) But if the seller is motivated and willing, they need to know that the buyers out there are serious buyers!

All Pro Team--It is a very unique opportunity for sellers. If it works for them to take advantage of the holiday season, they should! Thanks for commenting!

Teri, great tips! I totaly agree with you, the buyers that are looking during this time of the year are usually very serious, not just looky-loos.

You're right the hardcore buyers are out there and they're looking for deals. All great tips in this upcoming holiday season..

Hi Teri, I love your posts! And your tips are right on the money! From my home staging experience, I also agree with you that tasteful holiday decorating can be very emotionally connecting and welcoming to house buyers.

Just one tip/reminder that experience has shown. As you know, Do Not take MLS pictures of obviously decorated homes.(Take pictures without showing the tree, santa claus standing, etc) If they are still on the market in Feb or March, the pictures' first impression will be "something is wrong with this house, it was listed last year. (Our minds flip over "last year", it could have been 4 weeks ago but they won't count the weeks, it will just be last year!!)

Thanks for your great post and keep selling!

Teri,

That is a sound reason to keep the home on the market. It'll definitely stand out from the rest because it's lived-in and has that holiday spirit as a marketing tool. X-mas cookies for the prospects should ice the deal.

Michigan is cold, wet, sometimes snowy over the holidays and everyone is busy. However, any person that wants to look at home under those conditions, is not just a "looky looky" person (like you get all summer long)
They are serious buyers who usually need to buy SOON or they would wait until after the first of the year. And a home is so cozy during the holidays. Nothing says Home. Family. Love. like a decorated holiday home with the lights and scents. Also a lot of agents like to take this time of year off work too....NOT ME. I want to get a call from that serious holiday time buyer!

Renee Parker ~ Grand Haven Michigan

woow Teri,

you always get featured, you do awesome blogs :) keep the good blog / work my friend.

Best wishes

Ray saenz

NOV

2007

Our Broker once said..."the serious buyers come out around the holidays". This is the best time to keep your home on the market, not just because it shows off better (if well decorated) but because those who are looking are serious about buying - they are qualified buyers ready to take the plunge!

One thing I can guarantee you is that it won't sell if it is taken off MLS - my husband had a contract presented several years ago on Christmas Eve - a decorated home looks inviting over the holiday season, Karen

Mike--And we like serious buyers much better than the looky-lous right?!!

Robert--Thanks! You are right, the buyers are out there during the holidays!

Leslie--A few years back I did take photos of the home with the wreath and the tree. It was listed in Nov and sold in Dec. Our plan was to change the photos immediately Jan 2nd if the home did not sell. Good reminder!! In MN we are rephotoing whenever the seasons change for that very reason...Not too much bright green grass in December in MN!

Esko--You'd be surprised at how far a few cookies will get you...Sometimes the way to a buyers heart is through his stomach. :)

Renee--We have the same weather in MN...Only the serious buyers want to be out in the elements. But they are out there!

Ray--I know you haven't been around much lately but with all of the new bloggers being added everyday, I don't get featured very often anymore. You really have to work hard to get noticed with nearly 60K members. Really appreciate the compliment though!

Chris&Maria--Smart broker...As someone else said in the comments above: there are buyers with all reasons and in all seasons.

Karen--So true! If you really want to sell your home, there is no reason to remove it over the holidays unless you cannot take the stress. Some buyers cannot wait until after the holidays.

From an appraisal standpoint, it seems like more deals go through during the holidays even though there are fewer.

NOV

2007

Teri-This is an excellent post and one that I needed to read today. I'm glad you were inspired to comment on my blog so that I could find you. Tomorrow is a big day for us. We are listing our house and have decided for whatever reason that it is the perfect time. Especially due to there being only 2 homes on the market under $200k in my city. We rented a storage unit to declutter and in the process we have also been dejunking. How refreshing that is. But your ideas here bring to light something that I was going to bypass and that was putting up our tree. I'm just over my first year in real estate and it seems so much easier to help clients sell their home than to help myself. Thank heavens for you and your post. I will now take your advice and get to decorating this week.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Julie--Thank you for your comments and I am so glad that they will help you! Make certain that your tree doesn't overpower the home...Very minimal decorations--Think an upscale department store with a themed tree rather than the kid's favorites. You still want the buyers looking at the house...Just make it feel like a home! Good luck to you!

Teri - Congratulations on market the week in review. This is a wonderful post. Keep up the great work!

Sandra--Thank you!! I appreciate your kind words and kudos!

NOV

2007

I just wrote a similar blog --- I cannot agree more. It is a great time of year to market a home. Thanks for your blog, too. Terrific tips.

Pamela--I missed yours but will check it out now...It has worked for my clients in the past to stick with it during Nov-Jan!

NOV

2007

This is so true and a wonderul written post. I'll be sharing this information with some clients who are thinking about take their home off the market for the holidays. We closed on the house we live in now on December 26. The house we sold? December 24! That Christmas tree came down right after Christmas! We had a 3 year old and 7 month old at the time. How did I do that? Don't remember now, but don't remember stressing over it either! There certainly are buyers and sellers out there this time of year!

NOV

2007

Teri,

I agree with you, that's why you need to teach me and share with me good tips :) , specially when it comes for grammar LOL

Ray saenz

NOV

2007

Jennifer--Your experience is the exact reason to keep a home on for the holidays! Convince those clients to stay the course if they can! Good luck!

Ray--Your grammar is fine....You are just too funny! :)

Teri,

If my grammar was fine, I would be on the blogburst that neal wrote about it :( I was rejected !

Ray Saenz

NOV

2007

Ray--I did not see this post but I take a different view on your grammar....Aren't you a Spanish speaking Realtor with English as your second language? Blogging must be difficult for you in English so I understand that you would make an error or two. If I were to try to blog in Spanish, it would be horrendous as I only know about 20 words. I appreciate that you are trying and I believe your potential clients reading your blog understand this about you as well. Keep blogging, Ray...I, like many of your clients understand your occasional error.

Teri,

thanks I appreciate your understand and I least you do not make me feel like a horrible blogger :) I appreciate it. Keep it good and I really appreciate these comments, I needed them.

Ray Saenz

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Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Ham Lake, MN

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