Selling Your Home During the Holidays
Conventional wisdom used to be that trying to sell your home during the holiday season was a terrible idea. Real estate agents often counseled clients to take their homes off the market between Thanksgiving and New Year’s! Luckily, we know better now. By following a few basic guidelines, you could be ready for a holiday treat of your own: a house marked SOLD!
Keep in Mind:
There are definitely benefits to selling during the winter holiday season.
You’re not alone — but there’s less company. Fewer people have their homes on the market this time of year, so your competition has decreased.
Price to sell. You don’t want lots of people trooping through this time of year. Listen to your real estate agent’s advice on pricing and save yourself a lot of hassle.
You’ve got a bit of a captive audience. People who are looking to buy during the holiday season may include people relocating for work, military families, people associated with the nearby college, and investors looking to 1031 or acquire more properties before the end of the year. Be sure to target them with your For Sale notices.
Set the Stage:
During the holidays, most of the staging rules for selling a home go out the window.
Decorate, but don’t overdo it. Holiday décor can make your home seem welcome and cozy and inviting, especially to people feeling the pressure of homebuying during this time of year. Keep it seasonal with winter-themed decorations rather than specifically holiday-themed trinkets; go for holly and evergreen boughs, twinkling lights and snow scenery. And keep packing up your personal items in preparation for moving!
Take advantage of the shorter days. A well-lit room is inviting any time of year, but even more so during the long hours of darkness in winter. Bright lamps, a roaring fire if you have one, and candles — real or electric — will brighten the mood.
Remember the other senses. Agents always encourage their home sellers to light pleasant-smelling candles or set out potpourri no matter what time of year it is. During the holidays, try sugar cookie-scented candles, fresh pine boughs or peppermint air freshener. Play festive seasonal music. Put out blankets that are soft and cozy to help prospective buyers envision themselves curled up in warmth and comfort.
Your real estate agent will be able to provide even more advice that will best set off your property during this time of year. If you need help finding an excellent agent in our area or you have any questions about the home buying and selling process, please give me call. I’m happy to provide assistance and help your holiday home sale go smoothly!
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