If you are selling your home during the Christmas holiday season, there are a few tips that can help the process along like Rudolph’s bright nose guiding Santa’s sleigh.
1 – Get out the shovel. Nothing makes a less-attractive first impression than the snow piled high on the driveway and ice-covered sidewalks. You have to view potential buyers as customers entering your business. You wouldn’t somebody falling outside your store so you should take the same responsibility outside the home you are trying to sell. Plus, a clear driveway and sidewalk give a buyer a better vision at what the house will look like during spring and summer.
2 – Decorate your house but don’t go overload. Keep things tasteful, even reserved, and go with smaller rather than larger decorations. Go with limited lights on the outside and avoid cluttering the front lawn with plastic displays. As well, keep the decorations holiday-themed rather than religious.
3 – Put some holiday touches around the house that will make potential buyers feel welcome when they book a viewing or your real estate agent is hosting an open house. Lay out some homemade treats instead of store-bought cookies, put the Christmas tree lights on, and have classic Christmas songs softly playing the background. It will give potential buyers a sense of ‘home’.
4 – Those looking at houses at this time of year are very likely serious buyers. There’s a good chance they’re in the process of moving for work reasons and they’re motivated. Be prepared to negotiate and get a deal done. Have your ducks in a row because something could happen quickly.
Because there are fewer homes on the market during the winter months, the house you have for sale is likely going to get more views now than at any other time of the year. When there’s a reduced inventory, what is out there is going to attract attention. Work with your real estate agent to make sure your house is priced right.
~ Ricky Hill Partner / Broker