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Tips for Selling During the Holidays

Tips for Selling During the Holiday Season

The holidays aren’t exactly prime time for buying and selling real estate, but if your home is on the market, you don’t want to simply sit back and wait until after New Year’s Day. During this busy time of year, potential buyers, as well as real estate agents, often have holiday activities that can make scheduling showings difficult, and you may experience the same issues. However, keep in mind that buyers who are looking during the holidays are usually quite motivated. They may have a strict deadline by which they must move, or perhaps want to purchase a new home by year’s end for tax purposes. Since there are fewer houses for sale during the holidays, there’s also less competition for those buyers who are out there.

Discreet Decorations

You are living in your home and celebrating the holidays, but if you normally make a big deal out of decorating for the season, dial it back a bit if your house is being shown. That doesn’t mean you have to eschew all decorations, but a simple wreath on the door and a relatively small tree is a good plan. Make sure any decorations you do put up are in good condition and in good taste. Buyers want to see how the house flows, which is difficult if there are decorations all over the place. Avoid covering up features that attract buyers, such as large windows with a view.

Clean, Shiny and Bright

Of course, a house for sale should always look clean and fresh, but they should also have brightness. The holidays coincide with the darkest time of the year, so showings conducted in the late afternoon or evening require better lighting so visitors can see your house clearly. Replace some of your lower wattage bulbs with high wattage lighting to brighten your house.

An Emotional Pull

The holidays are an emotional time, and you can take advantage of that fact to appeal to buyers. After all, there’s a huge emotional component when it comes to purchasing a home. Since it is the holiday season, you many want to bake a pie or cookies in the oven to give your house a warm scent and cozy vibe. Of course, you should offer a plate of those fresh cookies, brownies or other baked goods to the buyers coming to look at the house. Some mulled cider and goodies gives the buyer a welcome feeling and may influence their decision, even subconsciously.

Price the Property Properly

You can attract more potential buyers during the holidays if your house is priced right. Your real estate agent will provide you with the right pricing for your home in the current market. Perhaps you could ask a little more money for it in the spring, but you’re paying your mortgage and property taxes in the meanwhile.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. We make sure buyers, sellers and renters understand the process every step of the way. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.

 Tips for Selling During the Holidays