The holiday season can be stressful enough, and if you add trying to sell your home to the mix, it could be a recipe for pure chaos. But in actuality it might be the perfect time as there is a sense of kindness in the air (typically) and the mentality of buying is everywhere. Why not have someone buy your home as a Christmas present.
Keep indoor and outdoor decorations minimal
We don’t want you to skip the decorations entirely; that wouldn’t be any fun! But do your best not to go overboard – buyers like being able to picture themselves in the house and too many decorations might make that difficult for them to do. So although you might really love the holidays, this might not be the year to bring out your inner Clark Griswold. Need some inspiration? Don’t forget the “rule of three”. Instead of putting out the entire collection of Snowmen or Santas think about a small grouping of three of your favorites. Even if you are not good with plants, having a few Poinsettias around the house will add a nice warm color to a room. If you are going to bypass holiday décor, check out these tips for staging your home.
If putting up a tree, size does matter. Even if that huge evergreen tree can fit into your living room doesn’t mean it is the best idea. If selling your home during the holiday season, don’t cut your square footage short with a too-big tree. Look for the perfect sized tree that will make you and your family happy, but won’t make your space feel cramped and smaller than it really is.
Make your home warm and inviting
Since we live in Florida you may not have to technically put the heat on or light the fireplace, you still want to create warmth with the environment. That means having all the lights on, burning holiday candles and perhaps have the lit yule log on the television. I can tell you that I had one client who was selling their home during the month of May. They had a wood burning fireplace that was just beautiful. So, we had it lit up during the open house with the AC on freezing and it worked like a charm! Offer in the next day.
Find new hiding spots for gifts
Do you usually hide your family’s unwrapped presents in the spare closet? Or maybe you stow them away in the attic? Potential buyers will be curious about storage, so it is very likely they will be looking in closets and other storage areas to see how much space there really is. Look into different storage solutions for now and make sure to keep your closets, attic, etc. open and de-cluttered so that potential buyers can see there is plenty of room for all of their belongings.
Use holiday familiarities to your advantage
There are definitely certain smells and aromas that bring back holiday memories for people, so why not use that to your advantage to make your space feel extra homey? If you have holiday treats to bake, make them before potential buyers are visiting so that your house smells extra yummy. Not a baker? No worries we have the all famous Publix bakery down the road. Or, just use some holiday-themed candles.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Juggling holiday parties, family get-togethers and everything else that comes with the season, last-minute showings can potentially wreak havoc on your schedule and plans. Try to stay a few steps ahead by making a checklist of what needs to be done around the house, and don’t be afraid to ask everyone to chip in. Perhaps your daughter will be on lighting duty to make sure each light is on before a showing. Perhaps your honey will make sure your counter top baskets are tucked away. Not sure what they are? Ask me.
Price to Sell
Most likely, anyone looking to buy a home during the holiday season is a serious buyer. They might be taking advantage of the limited time they have as a family to house hunt and the kids are out of school. So take advantage of this time when people are likely to be more motivated to buy. Do your homework and consult your realtor to price your house fairly. Additionally, pricing your home slightly lower than what it is worth can generate multiple offers and create a bidding war on your home, which can then lead to you possibly selling even higher than market value.
Enlist a trustworthy Realtor
You want someone that you know will be there for you and isn’t going to suddenly disappear on you during the holidays. It is easy to get caught up in all the festivities, but make sure to find someone that won’t go AWOL at Christmas, New Year’s, etc. I am typically home during the holiday season because I know how busy it actually gets for buying and selling. In addition, I have great support to help with any showings or tasks if I were to take a day away with family.
Looking for more tips on selling your house during the holidays? Click here to contact me.
