Holidays & Real Estate: Do they mix?

Let’s dive into the Pros & Cons of having your home on the market over the holidays.

You want to move.
You’ve decluttered, painted tired walls, and staged your home for potential buyers.  You’ve found a great Realtor® you trust to put your property on the market.
But, wait…. it’s November.
You are hosting Thanksgiving, Mom & Dad are staying for a week…along with your unpredictable brother (to whom, “tidy” is a foreign language).

Before you toss in the towel on the idea of ringing in the holiday under a new roof, here are some THINGS TO CONSIDER:

1.  Buyers who are looking during the holidays are usually serious buyers.
2.  Less homes are for sale during the holidays- less competition=more money for you.
3. Many buyers relocate in January.   They are looking over the Holiday
4. Houses can show better decorated for the Holidays (see tips below)
5. It may not be convenient to show when buyers want to see your home
6. Less buyers are looking this time of year
7. Agents may be unavailable when you need them

Now, after reading that and you have decided to run GO FOR IT, keep in mind the following;

1.  You can control showings.  Let the scheduler know when you need to ‘block’ a day ahead of time so agents can be alerted
2. Be flexible.  If someone is in town for 2 days to look at a house and you’ve blocked the time, that buyer has probably looked at your home on line and really wants to see it.  Be willing to pack up the family and leave for an hour while the turkey’s in the oven if a serious buyer is in town.
3. Tone down the decor.  I know! I know! You are thinking “wait a minute, she just listed above that “homes show better decorated!” While that is true, think of holiday decorating as more of a ‘nod to the holiday’ rather than Griswold’s Celebrate the Season. Do you see my point? If you offer too much decor, the beautiful features of your home will be lost in the…..shazaaaam! So, for this selling “season” keep as many artifacts & tchotchke’s packed away.
4. Keep presents stacked neatly in a corner.
5. Make touring your home festive!  While you have left the ceramic angel tucked safely in a box…tend to the bellies; buyer’s bellies, that is. Leave a plate of freshly baked holiday cookies and some napkins on the counter with a neatly printed note for them to enjoy. Not only will this create a happy-bellied buyer, but your house will smell delightful.

While these are my best tips for holiday selling, your Realtor® is the best source to advise you if your home should be on the market during the Holidays or not.  They{I} know your market and history of sales during this time.