Selling Your Home During the Holidays

There are pros and cons to selling your home during the holidays. November through January is often considered the worst time to be on the market because buyers have other priorities and a lot of distractions. But there are advantages – real holiday buyers tend to be more serious! Generally speaking, there should be less competition in the marketplace as some homes on the market will go off expecting the spring to be a better time to sell! This year, add in the dampening effect of the government shutdown during the highly marketable time period of October as an advantage to the holiday sales forecast. Once the government reopens, buyers who have had to or wanted to wait will be ready to make a move.

If your home has been on the market for any length of time, if your To-Do list is finally done and you’re ready to go on the market, or if you just got a job promotion in another state and now you’re committed to the challenge of selling, here are some tips to get your home sold:

1. Hire a local, reputable, reliable REALTOR®! You want an agent who understands the market your home is located in, an agent who will go above and beyond to be available during the holidays, an agent who will answer the phone, respond to emails, schedule showings, meet with you when the offers come in and turn on the lights for the shows if you’re not available to do so! You want an agent who will provide professional photos, staging advice and a solid pricing strategy.
2. Price it Right! We are still in a good enough market to price a little low up front to stimulate buyers as soon as the listing hits the market. This is the best way to gain an over-asking offer. Pricing at market will take a little longer and pricing it too high for too long will ultimately backfire, often with an end price less than the “little low up front” price.
3. Staging, Photos, Floorplans & Videos! Staging is crucial. Photos must be professional and engaging. Floor plans are a huge plus and in today’s high tech world, easy to create. Aerial views of the surrounding area really make your home stand out. Don’t forget videos! Shooting a video tour and posting it on Social Media will draw extra attention. No matter the time of year, but especially in colder months, buyers start and maintain their search via the internet. Make the first impressions impressive!
4. Decorate – but don’t go all out. You want buyers to feel cozy hominess and the spirit of the holiday, but not be overwhelmed by holiday decor. Put a nice evergreen wreath on the front door, but save the giant Santa and flashing lights for your next house! It is also more comfortable for buyers to keep decor general rather than religious.
5. Maintain the Curb Appeal! If your home is occupied or vacant, this is incredibly important – and something your real estate agent can assist with. Might be snowy and dreary outside, but keep the walkway tidy and safe for buyers coming to view. For showings, turn on all the lights, make sure everything is tidy and the heat is working!

If you’re selling a home during the holiday season, following these practical tips will help facilitate the sale and ultimately ease the stress of the transaction. We believe this year the holiday season will be uniquely busy, and we hope to find buyers and sellers who will take advantage of the opportunities that await!