Date Archives: December 9th, 2019

It's a common misperception that the real estate market comes to a halt when the holidays come to town. The reality is that many people are looking to put the keys to a new home under the tree. Our REALTORS® are experts at selling homes throughout the holiday season and the following are some tips that can help your home stand out among the bright lights and inflatable Santas in the neighborhood. 

1. Be Delicate when Decking the Halls. You don't want to go overboard with your decorations. Choose a few neutral wreaths, a handful of candles, your tree, and a smattering of the ever-popular poinsettia. Leave the inflatable reindeer and extravagant decorations in the box for next year's celebrations in your new home.
   
   
2. Create a Cozy Ambiance. The smell of hot cocoa, Christmas carols coming through Alexa, and some warm cookies are always a welcome touch. These accents create a comfortable ambiance that is soothing and inviting. This encourages prospective buyers to rest and relax as they look around your home.
   
   
3. Coordinate Schedules with Your Real Estate Agent. You'll want to make sure that your real estate agent doesn't have any long trips planned over the holidays. You will also want to let your real estate agent know your schedule so they know when the home will be available for showings, open houses, etc.
   
   
4. Coordinate with the Title Company, Lawyer, and Bank. As with your real estate agent, you will need to know the availability of these individuals and entities. This information can make closing easier and less stressful for you and the buyer.
     
5. Create a Virtual Tour. Creating a virtual tour of your home allows prospective buyers to view the property when they have time to take a look. It's an invaluable marketing tool that gives buyers the ability to look around while they're shopping, traveling, or waiting for family to arrive from the airport.
   
   
6. Include Year Round Photos. Including photos from spring and summer in your listing shows prospective buyers how the home looks throughout the year. It adds a sense of warmth that can melt hearts and warm buyers up to thoughts of spring picnics and summer BBQs.
      
7. Price the Home Properly. You want to position the home so that it's a good deal that stands out in the marketplace. If your price is too high, buyers will pass it by. If it's too low, buyers will think there's either a problem with the property or that you are in a vulnerable position. Neither is good, and your real estate agent can help you set a price that is attractive and in line with similar properties on the market over the holiday season.
   
   
8. Target Your Marketing. You want to narrow your marketing down to the most motivated buyers in your region. Depending on your area, this could mean focusing on military personnel, real estate investors, buyers looking to take advantage of tax breaks, recent college graduates, or new/relocating employees of companies that are expanding at the start of the year.
   
   
9. Spruce up the Landscaping. While snow may cover the landscaping some of the time, you can't count on it to cover every blemish. Make sure that your trees are trimmed, leaves are raked, and any dead plants, etc. are removed from the yard. 

Contact us for more information about selling your home over the holidays. Our team will answer your questions and help you develop a solid marketing strategy for your property.