The holiday season, from November to January, is often considered to be the worst time of year to sell a house. While the idea of selling your house during the winter months can dampen your holiday spirit the season has its advantages. Holiday buyers tend to take the sale more seriously and the competition is less fierce as fewer homes are actively marketed. Decide if you need to sell. Really. When you’re ready to take on the challenge, put on your gay attire and follow these FrontDoor tips.
- Decorate the halls but don’t go too overboard.
Home decor is often at its best during the holiday season, but sellers must be careful not overdo the decorations. Too many or large decorations can distract buyers and crowd your home. Avoid offending buyers when you choose fall and winter decorations that are not religious. - Hire a reliable real estate agent.
This means that you want someone who will work hard and not disappear over the holidays, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year. Ask your family and friends if they know of a listing agent that will go the extra mile to sell your home. This will reduce your stress levels and give you time to enjoy the holiday season. - Find motivated buyers.
House hunting during the holidays is only acceptable if you have a valid reason. Your agent can help you target buyers who have a deadline. This includes people who are relocating to your area for a job, investors with tax deadlines, students and staff at colleges, and military personnel if you live near military bases. - Price your product to sell.
A home priced well below the market value will make buyers happy no matter what time of the year it is. Many real estate agents recommend that sellers slash the price before listing a home. - Make curbside appeal a priority.
Maintaining the exterior of your house becomes even more crucial when autumn arrives and the leaves start to fall. Touch up the paint and clean the gutters to make your home look more attractive. Make sure to consider the safety of buyers by clearing snow, ice, and leaves from walkways and stairs. - Take the best real estate photos.
Homebuyers will often start their search for a home online when the weather is bad. Make a great first impression by providing lots of high-quality, flattering photos of your home. If you can, provide a spring or summer photo of your house so that buyers can see what it looks like all year round. - Create an online video tour.
The holiday season will be less busy due to the bad weather and vacation plans. A video tour posted on the Web could attract buyers who don’t want to drive in a storm or don’t have the time to visit your home. - Offer house hunters a place where they can escape the cold.
Make your home inviting and cozy during showings. Turn up the heat and play soft classical music while offering homemade holiday treats. You can encourage buyers to spend longer in your home and appreciate its best features. - Spread holiday cheer by offering financing.
Bah, humbug! Lenders these days are scrooges, but if your means allow it, why not offer an affordable home loan to someone who is serious? You could earn a good return on your investment. - Relax, the new year is right around the corner.
It’s stressful enough to have to buy gifts, cook dinners and entertain relatives during the holidays. Remember that next year is just a few short days away if you decide not to sell your home now.
Original Blog: https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/top-10-tips-for-selling-your-home-during-the-holidays
