Selling a home during the holiday season (from November through January) is often considered a challenge.
However, it does provide some advantages as buyers during this time are usually more serious and there is less competition.
So, if you have made up your mind to sell your home, put on your festive attire and follow these tips to make your home swoon-worthy this holiday season
Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard.
The holiday season is a great time to showcase your home, but it's important to be cautious about your decoration choices if you're planning to sell. You don't want to overdo it with the decor, as it might crowd your home and distract potential buyers. Additionally, it's best to choose general fall and winter decorations to avoid offending anyone. So, let's get creative and make your home warm and inviting for everyone!
Hire a reliable real estate agent.
Finding a real estate agent who's in your corner and won't vanish during the holidays is key. Why not tap into your network of friends and family for recommendations of top-notch agents who will go above and beyond to get your home sold? or even an agent who is experienced in the holiday buying and selling process? This way, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday season without any worries.
Seek out motivated buyers.
Selling your home during the Holiday season has numerous advantages, one of which is the presence of serious buyers in the market. Collaborate with your real estate agent to identify such buyers, who may be working against a deadline. Additionally, your agent can help you narrow down your search to include potential buyers who are relocating for work, investors with tax deadlines, college students and staff, and even military personnel if you live near a military base. This targeted approach can increase your chances of finding the right buyer for your home.
Price it to sell.
It cannot be emphasized enough how crucial it is to price your home to sell, regardless of the season. A low-priced home can make potential buyers ecstatic, and obtaining a home appraisal can assist you in determining the optimal price for your region and what other homes in the area are selling for. Gradually decreasing the price of your home in small increments can cause buyers to question why it hasn't sold yet, so it's better to get the pricing right from the start.
Make curb appeal a top priority.
As the holiday season comes around, the importance of maintaining the exterior of your home increases. The falling leaves expose your home, so it is best to touch up the paint, clean the gutters, and spruce up the yard. Keep in mind the safety of potential buyers by ensuring that stairs and walkways are free of snow, ice, and leaves.
Take top-notch real estate photos.
When the weather is frightful, potential homebuyers tend to initiate their house search within the cozy confines of their homes by browsing through property listings on the Internet. (Did you know 90% of buyers find their home online?) To make an excellent first impression, you should provide an ample number of flattering, high-quality photographs of your home. If possible, include photographs of your home during the summer or spring seasons to give buyers an idea of how it looks throughout the year.
Create a video tour for the Web.
Bad weather, vacations, and the general busy time of the year can equal less foot traffic during holidays. Shoot a video tour to give your potential buyers the best view of your home, and have your realtor post it online (and you too!) to attract buyers who can't visit in person.
Give house hunters a place to escape from the cold.
To make your home more appealing, you can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere during showings. You can achieve this by increasing the heat, playing soft classical music, and serving homemade holiday treats. By doing so, potential buyers may spend more time in your home, providing them with more opportunities to appreciate its best features.
Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing.
Bah, humbug! Some lenders can be scrooges these days, but if you've got the means, why not offer a home loan to a serious buyer? You could get a reasonable rate of return on your money.
Relax — the new year is just around the corner.
The holidays can be very stressful with the need to buy gifts, prepare dinners, and entertain relatives. It's important to take a moment to remind yourself that if you don't sell now, there's always next year, which fortunately is only a few days away.
Do you have more questions about the holiday time and sell your home? Reach out to our team today.
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