TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the thought of the house selling is so delightful!  When you think of the winter holidays, you might think of mistletoe, a new egg nog recipe, poinsettias, Santa’s cookies, gorgeously wrapped presents and . . .negotiating a real estate offer.

While the thought of selling your home make take some of the tinsel out of your holiday spirit, the season does have its advantages.  If you’re selling your house during the year’s busiest season, you are serious.  Holiday buyers tend to be more serious and competition is less aggressive with fewer homes on the market.  Here are some tips for maximizing your sale!

  • Spruce up the house….within reason.  Because homes often look their best during the holiday, sellers should by all means decorate, but don’t go overboard.  Decor that is too large or clutters your home will distract buyers.  And err on the safe side, use generic fall and winter decor, not religious based.
  • Hire a real estate agent….who won’t be on vacation.  Even with the hardest working, most successful realtor in mind, that will do you nothing if that realtor is going to Florida on December 20 and returning after the New Years.  You need a good realtor and a presentrealtor, going above and beyond.  A realtor needs to sell your house….at the right price and under the right closing conditions.
  • Seek out the motivated…not the tire kickers.  Most buyers  during  the Fa-La-La season are serious. However, targeting the buyers that are on a deadline, can give you the upper hand.  Target people that are relocating employees (companies often put a house buyer on a deadline), college students and faculty, and military personnel.
  • Price to sleigh it.  Price your house to sell your house.  It really doesn’t matter what time of year…the home that’s priced low for the market will make you jolly.  Start correctly with the price now and you will not have to make smaller reductions along the way.  Slash the price now and you’ll be prancing.
  • Pictures that are Instagram worthy.  Most house hunters are not dashing through the snow to see your house.  They will see your house with eggnog in one hand, a computer mouse in the other.  This means you’ll need  flattering, high-quality photos for the internet.  Hire a good real estate photographer to maximize the use, space and symmetry of your house.

Pass the eggnog.

BerkshireHathaway HomeServices/John M. Brabham Real Estate knows great homes.  We want you to know more than the average buyer.  Call us at (803) 775-1201