10 TIPS For Selling Your Home During the Holidays

The holiday season is typically seen as a time of decline in the real estate market, but just as nothing else has followed the normal flow of life in 2020, neither has real estate.  We have seen more listings come in this holiday season than ever before.  We have cash buyers waiting on their perfect home, and as listings come in, they typically sell relatively fast. 

10 Tips For Selling Your Home During the Holidays

1.      Hire an experienced, reliable real estate team!  This will be key to ensuring the sale of your home doesn’t ruin your holidays.  Knowing you’ve hired a team of agents you can trust, with a proven sales record, will be the difference between an “All is calm” or a “Blue Christmas” experience.  

2.     Price it right the first time!  We cannot tell you the number of sellers who learned the difficult way that overpricing your home usually leads to a delay of sale because of the constant negotiating price or wasting time on continual price changes.  Our team is trained to price your home to sell.  This doesn’t mean you will make less money; it’s actually the opposite.  By listing your home at the right price, you help buyers immediately see the correct value for your house, and with today’s market, they won’t want to wait to decide if they’ll be singing “I’ll be home for Christmas” or they may miss out.     

3.     Professional Photography matters when you’re selling your home!  Whether it’s the holiday season or middle of summer, these photos will be the first impression potential buyers have of your house.  Let our professional photographer/videographer help capture your home in a way that allows buyers to imagine themselves walking through the space in person.  

4.     Curb appeal can be difficult during the chillier months because we lose the lush green grass and blossoming trees and shrubbery.  It will be crucial that any exterior esthetic issues be cared for prior to listing your home.  For very little money, you can spruce up your front porch with a newly painted front door, seasonal rug, and winter greenery that is warm and inviting to guests, considering adding soft white lights for the ultimate holiday glow.  And be sure to clean up the mess Fall can leave behind.  Rake those leaves and pull out any dead plants that can be an eyesore.  Welcome your guests in as though you are welcoming them home.  After all, that is the goal!

5.     Holiday Cheer in the form of fantastic interest rates is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the years!  That makes NOW the perfect time to list your home!  

6.     When decking the halls, be sure not to go overboard.  You want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves in your space and if the home feels cluttered, it can limit your chances of selling.  Also, remember that not everyone loves the holidays as much as others and so keeping the décor to a minimum will be less likely to offend.

7.     Less competition makes the holidays and, really, winter a better time to sell.  Fewer homes on the market will help your house stand out even more!  This is also why it’s essential to make sure you’ve followed our advice regarding curb appeal and holiday décor.

8.     The cozy effect is a must!  Consider lighting a candle before buyers arrive but be sure to extinguish it before they enter.  Another option is an essential oil diffuser filled with the fragrances of the season.  This option allows you to turn it on and leave.  Cozy blankets draped over an armchair, and soft lighting will also help invite the buyers in and leave them feeling “at home.”  Lastly, be sure to have a rug at the front door where they can leave their shoes and always, always make sure any dirt or debris is cleaned from the entry area.  

9.     Be sure to leave the heat on! You don’t want your guest shivering through their showing.  But don’t make it so warm, they need to leave to escape.  A mild 69-70* should allow buyers to comfortably navigate your home.  

10.  Refer to #1! These tips will only work if you hire the right real estate team!  

Call our respected, referred, and recommended team of experts at (248) 709-3786 and lets sell your home right the first time.