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Selling During the Holidays

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Olympia

I’m hearing a lot of sellers say they want to let their listing expire for the holidays, or sellers wanting to wait until after the holidays to put their houses on the market. If they only knew that is what everyone else is thinking! Come January, the inventory of houses is going to get bigger and the competition hotter for those buyers.

I know it’s a hassle keeping your house in tip top shape at any time of year. Especially around the holidays, we all seem to have more on our plates with shopping, holiday parties and events, and visiting family and guests.

Holiday DecorSo if you have to sell or plan to keep your house on the market through the holidays,  let’s think of this another way.  This could be an opportunity to show off your house when it’s at its best! You have all those great holiday decorations up:  it’s festive, it’s fun, it’s cozy and everything smells great from the scented candles to the fresh pine boughs.

Set your dining table with your best holiday china, string lights inside and out. You don’t have to decorate every inch of your house, nor should you go overboard with a giant inflatable Frosty the Snowman in your yard. Keep it simple, but use festive decorations to your advantage to show off your dining room, your great fireplace mantel, or the perfect nook for the tree.  Hopefully everyone who sees  your home will want to make it their “home for the holidays” next year!

Show All Comments Sort:
Jim Willis
Rose and Womble Realty - Virginia Beach, VA
Knows Virginia Beach Area Real Estate
Good thought and it's true, but many sellers are going in too many directions during the holidays to handle all that extra "pressure'. 
Dec 05, 2007 03:59 AM
Jo Olson
HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA
Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
Katy, I have had my own personal residence on the market during the holidays and really it wasn't any drama. People just make such mountains these days.
Dec 05, 2007 05:43 AM
Katy Crofts
Keller Williams Realty - Olympia - Olympia, WA
Realtor - Olympia, WA
Thanks for the comments! Before becoming a Realtor I also sold my home during the holidays (due to my husband's job transfer). I did all the usual things like cleaning and thinning, but also had some simple decorations and a nice tree. We did 2 open houses and got great feedback. I thought I was able to show that it was a cozy home and a great place to entertain!
Dec 05, 2007 07:29 AM
Jim Tutton
Windermere/ Professional Partners - University Place, WA

Many transfering clients move during their children's winter break.  This is a great time to sell a house, because buyers are usually very motivated.  I sold three homes last year during my kids winter break, all to out of town clients moving in for job transfers.

Jim Tutton 
Windermere
www.mytacomahome.com

 

 

 

Dec 05, 2007 04:11 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
I agree this is a good time to sell, because buyers who look are serious buyers.
Dec 06, 2007 01:13 AM
Gabrielle Nemes
RE/MAX Realty South - Tumwater, WA
206.300.8421, S King & Pierce County RE Advocate
Absolutely! Personally, I love seeing all the houses spiffed up for the holidays and I know Buyers do too. I've typically had a great December, especially that last week between Christmas and New Years!
Dec 06, 2007 08:45 AM
Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team
Great post, good good points.  If the need to sell is there, sellers will set some time aside for business during these holidays -- it could mean a sell.
Dec 08, 2007 08:13 AM