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Selling your home during the holidays

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Classic Realty NW MN Lic #40244260

With many holidays around the corner, sometimes selling your home may seem like a headache!

Actually, this is a great time to list your home...and here's why:

1. Serious Buyers- People who are looking to buy a home now usually have a real need to. Perhaps they are relocating, enrolled the kids in a new school, their lease is ending, they sold their current home, etc.

2. Homes are cozy and bright- you step out of our vehicle in front of a beautiful home for sale and as soon as you get inside, its warm...the furnace is cranking out some heat, a fireplace may be on, all the lights are brighter (because it's dark at 4:30 now ya know...). That alone is worth spending some extra time and truly taking in all the home has to offer!

3. Decor is inviting- Many sellers keep their homes in tip top shape during the holidays because they expect to have friends and family over. AND, what more could you ask for in a marketing plan, bring everyone you know over for some turkey and mistletoe and let them spread the news about how amazing your home is to all their friends and family!

4. Mortgage rates are LOW- Buyers can still get rates in the 3-4% range right now which is HUGE and a driving factor for many people to purchase their next home. Take advantage of that!

5. Less competition- I am sure Earl and Sue down the street are just primed and ready to sell their home....in the spring. And the minute the tulips start popping up, all the other neighbors start calling their Realtor as well. Beat em to it! Sell now while they all compete with each other in a few months!

One thing I stongly suggest NOT doing if you decide to list your home for sale during the holidays:

THIS!!!!

 

Hope your Holiday is wonderful!!

 

 

 

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Sylvia Jonathan
Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties - Irvine, CA
Broker Associate, SFR

I liked your "NO" photo. Perfect!

Nov 24, 2014 10:35 PM
Marney Kirk
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD
Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Ashley, this is so true! Five great points. And I LOVE the "no" photo!

Nov 24, 2014 10:47 PM
Maya Garg * ASP/ASA/ABR/CNE/
Royal Lepage Signature Realty,Mississauga, Ontario - Mississauga, ON
Moving you Forward.... Buyers, Sellers, Investors

I agree with your comments why wait for spring and compete when u can buy or sell now with serious buyers and sellers

Nov 24, 2014 10:52 PM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

Buyers who are out shopping for a house this time of year are definitely much more serious.  Love that last photo.  Too funny!  

Nov 24, 2014 11:09 PM
Ron Buck
The Ron Buck Group - Laguna Niguel, CA
Associate RE Broker at Keller Williams Realty

I agree with your thinking. Sellers, keep the presents locked up!

Nov 24, 2014 11:32 PM
Linda Remington
M. C. Real Estate - Lodi, OH
lodirealtor@live.com

Great post!

 

Nov 24, 2014 11:44 PM
Art Welch
Superstars Realty - Buckeye, AZ
Broker

I think the Holidays are a great time to sell.  It is always important to use the "Less is More" as you want all buyer types to like what they see.

Nov 24, 2014 11:47 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Weichert Realtors, Welch and Company - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

So many sellers take their house off the market for the holidays...not as many serious buyers and more clutter in the home with decor, gifts, etc.

Nov 24, 2014 11:51 PM
Flavia Brown
310-702-6335 - Manhattan Beach, CA
Realty One Group United

A helpful article. Sellers during this time of year don't have much competition. Inventory is still very low in the South Bay of L.A. County, so sellers should take advantage of having one of only a few homes for sale. Most homes in the beach cities sell in a few days at full list price or higher.

 

Flavia Brown, Realtor

3 Leaf Realty

Manhattan Beach, CA

Nov 25, 2014 12:58 AM
Cathy Carpenter
Silvercreek Realty Group - Nampa, ID
Helping to Make Your Real Estate Dreams Come True

Great post, Ashley!  I have had this discussion with 2 clients in the past week and a half.  Love your "NO" photo!! 

Nov 25, 2014 01:24 AM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

Fun and informative! I had a good giggle at the "NO" picture. Thanks! 

Nov 25, 2014 02:31 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Ashley - Like everyone here, I got a good giggle from your "NO!" photo. 

I agree entirely with all your reasons why NOW is a good time to put a home on the market. In fact I offer a "Holiday prospecting" letter set that reflects all except your point about the interest rates, since that changes from year to year. 

Nov 25, 2014 03:12 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Excellent points, yet, selling and closing during the winter is very challenging for many reasons, therefore, I avoid listing until after the New Year. Serious buyers IMO don't plan to move during the winter or during the holidays. 

Nov 25, 2014 04:07 PM
Andrea HoffDomin
Florida Dream Homes Realty - Fort Lauderdale, FL
- in Real Estate always on your side!

Thank you for this interesting post and I like your last picture very much.

Sunny greetings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Nov 25, 2014 08:58 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I agree! I have a new listing coming soon and I love the idea of a home dressed up for the holidays.

Nov 26, 2014 03:53 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

I have a listing coming on in December.  December is a good month to close on properties for tax reasons.

Nov 26, 2014 03:38 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Ashley,

Yes. And no!!! Very funny!

Nov 27, 2014 02:49 PM
John DL Arendsen
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Ashley Hauf This is definitely worth sharing. You hit every nerve and every reason why there is really no particular season in Real Estate. Great post and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Dec 02, 2014 02:41 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I don't think there is a bad time to buy  or sell and Christmas time is a great time to be on the market.

Dec 03, 2014 01:57 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I think Active Rain has done a great job in bringing out the best potential in all of their members blogs like this one.

Mar 23, 2015 08:15 AM