It’s the most wonderful time of the year….and it’s not a bad time to sell your home believe it or not. There are many people who are looking to begin the new year in a new home but feel discouraged or overwhelmed at the thought of going through the selling (or buying) process during the holiday season. Rest assured, it is possible and here are a few essential things you can do.
1. Find a reliable real estate agent
A good real estate agent can be important when you’re buying or selling a home; but, during the holidays, it’s practically essential. While you are juggling work and personal obligations during the winter months — from school plays and cookie exchanges to holiday parties and gift shopping, having a reliable agent can make things astonishingly easier.
2. Don’t let holiday hours affect your closing
Some businesses stay open longer during the holidays, and some close earlier. For home sellers, it’s key that you know the holiday hours of the businesses you’ll need to sell your house. For example, home inspectors, title companies and banks might close early, which could affect your timeline.
“It could be that you go into escrow in December, so you might want to shorten your investigative period to accommodate schedules; instead of 17 days, do it in 14 days. Be aware of everyone’s schedule, so your transactions aren’t postponed.
Your real estate agent will likely have the inside scoop on timelines and office hours, so talk to them about scheduling so everything goes as smoothly as possible.
3. Add warmth, comfort and light to wintry showings
The first step is to make the house safe and accessible. As the days get shorter, darker and colder. If the outdoor lighting is nonexistent or inadequate, add lights to the front yard so people have a clear path to your front door. The same goes for the backyard. Even simple LED string lights can give a darkened patio a festive look, and a chance for buyers to see what they might be getting. It’s also important to make sure your home temperature is at a comfortable level and is reflective on outside temperatures. If it’s too hot or too cold, potential buyers may rush through the open house or showing. Add some warm, holiday color with throw blankets, pillows to beds and couches and light seasonal scented candles.
4. Avoid overdoing the holiday decor
You may be wondering if it is okay to decorate for the holidays and you will find people who are “for” it and some who advise against it. But generally speaking it is okay to decorate, just leave some room for the buyer’s imagination while keeping it simple. As long as your home feels warm and inviting. Festive decorations can be a nice touch, but avoid overdoing it. During the holidays all the classic home-selling principles remain: declutter your space (both indoors and outdoors), give the walls a fresh coat of paint, make minor repairs and do a deep cleaning before you start showing.
I am here to help you in your search through all stages of the process whether you are renting or buying and answer any of your questions or concerns along the way. You can e-mail me at emilie@emiliebroughton.com or simply visit my contact page here.
