Selling your home during the holidays can be stressful when you couple the pressure of selling a house with the fast pace of the holiday season. However, when listing a house during the holidays, there are a few strategic steps to ensure it sells before the new year. Read on to find out everything you need to know about selling your home during the holidays.
Celebrate Subtly
Homes can look most inviting during the holidays, but it’s essential not to overdo it. Once your home is professionally staged, you can layer in subtle holiday decor. The holiday decor should complement the professional staging efforts and remain neutral in color, decor, and symbols. Incorporating natural elements such as evergreen boughs, birch logs, soft white string lights and selecting a neutral color palette, such as creams and metallics, will contribute to a serene seasonal backdrop.
Work With a Professional Who Will Go Above and Beyond
Hire a real estate agent who is committed to selling your home during the holidays. Working with a real estate agent who specializes in luxury listings, is easily accessible, well-versed in the local luxury market, and willing to work to sell your home during the holidays is vital to facilitating a speedy sale. Asking friends and family for referrals and asking the right questions when you interview agents will help you partner with the right agent for you.
Have a Specialized Marketing Plan
Buyers who are home searching during the holidays are likely serious about making an offer and want to buy quickly. Finding these buyers may take a more specialized marketing approach. Work with your agent to make sure there is a plan to target the buyers looking to purchase a luxury listing during the off-season.
Take Well-Rounded Real Estate Photos
Since potential buyers are seeing your home during the winter months, highlighting your home’s exterior and surrounding property during the summer months is essential for the real estate photos. This will help buyers see the home’s appearance when the exterior is typically most appealing during the summer.
Maintain Curb Appeal
When the trees have lost their leaves and the grass isn’t as green, houses don’t have the same appeal during winter as during warmer months. This means that the house is more exposed and flaws can be easily identifiable. Ensure that the paint is touched up, have the gutters cleaned, rake the leaves and clear the walkways.
Treat Buyers as Guests
As you prepare your home for showings, create an environment for potential buyers that mimics the warm, cozy feelings of spending the holidays at home. During showings, set the mood by playing soft music, lighting the fireplace and having freshly baked holiday treats. These small touches will help buyers feel at ease and imagine hosting their own holidays for years to come.
