Admin

To Tree... or Not to Tree & Cookie Advice

By
Real Estate Agent with The Pete Cook Home Group 21483n

Seller Questions:

 

- What if they do not celebrate Christmas?

- Do we skip putting up a tree this year?

- Where should we put it?

 As an agent, my answer will always be that you cannot be everything to everyone. Celebrate how you normally would.

If you are putting up a christmas tree and your home is on the market, my advice will be keep it contained enough so that it does not significantly reduce the walkability of a room and either get in the way or make it feel small.

 So..

1. Don't fill the living room with gifts so you cannot fit two buyers an agent at the same time.

2. Skip getting the biggest tree that will fit.

3. Clutter is clutter any time of the year. If you are going to put up seasonal decorations, avoid filling every open space with something. If the buyers cannot see open space, they will think the house is too small for their stuff.

4. Restrict your showings around how you celebrate. Buyers will understand this is a family time of year. However, the more your “store” is open the better your chance of a sale.

5. Cookies. Everyone likes cookies. Put out cookies or candy with a “help yourself” sign. This is an excellent way to get rid of the excess sweet gifts that show up this time of year.

6. Accept showings. Anyone shopping for a house this month is a serious buyer.

 

On a personal note. If you do not like cookies… well.. I don’t think that I will be able to help you.

 

Happy Holidays,

Pete

 

Posted by

Pete Cook

The Pete Cook Home Group

720-295-7764

pete@thepetecookhomegroup.com

Show All Comments Sort:
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Now who doesn't like cookies or the idea of help yourself to a treat?

Dec 05, 2013 02:53 AM
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Pete - I agree, you still live your normal way of life... just be a lot more conscious about not overwhelming the property, keeping clutter to a minimum, and allow people to see the house and not just your decorations.

Dec 05, 2013 03:06 AM
Erik Hatch
The Erik Hatch Team of Hatch Realty - Fargo, ND
The Erik Hatch Team

Great advice, Pete.  Some tasteful decorating can help buyers picture themselves living in the home celebrating their own holidays. Mmm cookies.

Dec 05, 2013 03:30 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Right you are, especially about the cookies. There is another agent around who can help those weirdos.  ;)

Dec 05, 2013 04:32 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I was a retail store owner until i got into real estate. After 16 years of the public at Christmas it became a day off and I detested the holiday. After getting out I found the fun again and went Christmas decoration crazy. I would be one of those over the top decoraters that would be a clutter problem. I have since dialed back and have just enough to be tastful and if my house waslisted you would love it.

Dec 05, 2013 04:32 AM
Gina Tufano
Ask Gina & Company with Pearson Smith Realty - Sterling, VA
Ask Gina & Company, Northern Virginia Real Estate

I love how you said, "clutter is clutter any time of the year." So true; great post!

Dec 05, 2013 05:17 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I agree that they should celebrate the way they normally do, unless they are the Griswolds, then they need to take it down a notch or 20.  I agree about the offerings of sweets and cookies though, buyers appreciate it!

Dec 05, 2013 07:46 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

#1 is one of my favorite sayings of the day. :)

 

Love and light,

Laura

Dec 05, 2013 09:14 AM
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

And don't forget COOKIES!

Dec 05, 2013 10:17 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Pete - I like the idea of a help yourself sign on the cookies.

Dec 05, 2013 02:38 PM
Gerard Gilbers
Higher Authority Markeing - Asheboro, NC
Your Marketing Master

I agree that you should always leave the home accessible to walk around which includes holidays.

Dec 05, 2013 03:45 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Excellent suggestions, Pete. I tell my clients the same--put up decorations, just don't overdo them and keep them in good taste. Cookies never hurt (especially if buyers are coming through with kids!) either.

Dec 05, 2013 09:07 PM
Vanessa Saunders
Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY
Real Estate | Done Differently

Free cookies...grass roots marketing at it's best!

Dec 05, 2013 09:14 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

I agree with your advice, but I caution sellers to be careful about leaving gifts out - especially small gifts which may contain jewelry and which can easily be pocketed.  Unfortunately, some "buyers" are not really looking to buy but are looking to steal. Don't be afraid, but just use caution.  And ask the showing Realtor if his/her buyers have written approval for a loan or can demonstrate they have funds for a cash sale.  This will eliminate most crooks.

Dec 06, 2013 10:40 AM