Real Estate TipsSelling November 9, 2020

Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays

In the past, many would-be home sellers write off the holiday season, reasoning that no one has time to look for a house during this busy time of year. They put off selling their homes until after the first of the year, feeling that holidays and home sales do not go hand in hand. 

Those homeowners could be missing out on a golden opportunity. If you think that homes do not sell during the 2021 holiday market, you need to think again. According to NAR, the average existing home time on the market is still 13 days faster than last year.  

 

Here are some timely tips for staging and marketing your property during the busy holiday season. 

  

Keep Your Holiday Décor Tasteful 

Now is not the time for glowing holiday lawn ornaments and rooftop blow-ups. If you are planning to sell your home during the holidays, keep your décor simple and tasteful. Remember that less is more, so make the most of the few decorations you put up. Strands of white lights can make your stunning staircase look even better, and an updated fireplace is a great way to welcome potential buyers to your home. 

  

Entice Potential Buyers with Holiday Scents and Treats 

Baking a big batch of chocolate chip cookies in advance of an open house is a cliché, and a time-honored real estate tactic. For holiday season sales, you might want to spice things up with gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pies, and other holiday goodies. If you do not have time to cook or hosting a virtual tour, you can use natural scented candles to spice the air and to add warm feel; careful not to use overpowering scents that distract from the home itself. These aromas can serve as unconscious triggers, helping potential buyers see themselves in your home. 

  

Remove Personal Items as Much as Possible 

The holiday season is a great time to show off those family photographs, from the first time your son or daughter opened their first holiday present, to your office Holiday party. While this is true, displaying your personal memories will make it much harder for buyers to picture their own families in the space. Whether you are selling your home during the holidays or at any other time of year, it is important to remove personal items to the greatest extent possible. You want everyone who tours your home to picture themselves and their own kids in those tastefully decorated rooms. 

  

Record a Virtual Home Tour 

There is a reason so many homeowners are reluctant to market their properties during the holidays; the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is indeed one of the busiest parts of the year. Along with the uncertainty of Covid-19, we are lucky for so many safe alternatives. Even people who would love to see your home may not have the time to schedule a tour. The holiday season is the perfect time for a virtual open house, so work with your real estate agent to record a home tour and post it online. This way, you can overcome holiday business and Covid-19 safety concerns and still reach the greatest possible audience. By doing so, you’re showing potential buyers a sneak preview of your home can enhance their interest and boost your chances for a quick sale. 

  

Consider Some Holiday-Themed Incentives 

Giving potential buyers a present will encourage them to make an offer, so you can spend the new year moving into your own new home. The gift of closing cost assistance is always a welcome one, and you can help out with other expenses like moving costs and associated fees. Think about what you can afford, gauge the strength of the market, and talk it over with your real estate agent. If the sale plans for your home coincide with the holiday season, you do not have to worry. Despite what many people think, homes do indeed sell during the holidays, and if you are willing to do your part you could find a qualified buyer before the Holiday presents have been put away. 

 

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Founded in 1915, the Weidel family of companies has grown to encompass all parts of the residential and commercial real estate markets, including brokerage through Weidel Real Estate, real estate mortgages and finance through Princeton Mortgage Corporation, title insurance through Princeton Assurance Corporation, and real estate education and licensing through the Princeton School of Real Estate.