Selling during the Holidays?!
Should I wait for the holidays to be over to sell?
It happens every year around this time. We start getting calls asking, "Are the holidays a good time to sell a home? Should I take my house off the market until spring? What is the winter real estate market going to be like this year?”
I know that it is a hectic time of year. We know that there is so much else going on at the end of the year. Lots of parties and family gatherings. Living in a home on the market can be a pain in any season, and more so during the holidays. So, if you are in no hurry to sell, it may make sense from a convenience standpoint to hold off until the festive season is past. On the other hand...
There are some good reasons why the holidays are actually a great time to sell a home.
The first of the year is a common time for new job starts, so the weeks leading up to that are a prime time for some house hunters. With the school break, families have an opportunity to relocate with minimal learning days lost. They may also have vacation days that expire year end, so this is their window to find a new home.
To be perfectly honest, the recent mortgage increases have buyers slowed some buyers down, but buyers who are still looking are serious buyers. These buyers are often from out of town and are more likely to have a relocation package or submit a cash offer. They are motivated buyers.
Is holiday decor ok in homes staged for sale?
I get asked all the time is Holiday decor ok in a home that is staged to sell? Simple and minimal decor is best when a home is on the market. Keep your Christmas decor to a simple garland on the stairs and a few Christmas catcus and pointsettias This is true only for showings.
MLS Photos?
MLS photos ought to be timeless. Whether its Christmas or any other season, Holiday decor is not the time for listing photos. It tells a prospective buyer something about how long the home has been on the market.
What about my Christmas tree?
Not to squash your Christmas spirit but let’s put a dollar value to a Christmas tree in a house on the market. A major factor in home values the price-per-square-foot. The average Christmas tree consumes about 15 square feet of floor space. That is a lot of space. Say the home is priced at $200/sq ft. That means that tree is concealing $3000 in perceived value. Do you want to lose that? I venture to say no.
All of our Nutcrackers, and garlands make a home feel oh so comfy cozy, but in real estate, 'cozy' equals 'small and cluttered'. Think about that hygge feeling you will get when you have staged and sold your home during the Holidays. Peaceful.
Let Interiors with Panache help you with your home sale with our Staging to Sell service.
Have you ever wondered how to achieve a designer styled tree?
I have a gift for you!
Here’s my Perfect Christmas Tree Guide to create a lush Christmas tree that you’re proud to light up!
Pro-Tip: Cluster a few ornaments (in your color scheme) together with wire and hang around the tree.
Perfect Christmas Tree Guide
Merry Christmas!
Blessings on the New Year!
Fran
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