Selling Your Home During the Holidays?

        The holiday season often evokes images of cozy gatherings, twinkling lights, and festive decorations. However, for those considering selling their home, the holidays can present unique challenges and opportunities. While it might seem daunting to list your home during this busy time of year, with proper planning and a strategic approach, selling your home during the holidays can be a rewarding experience. Serious buyers are looking for a new home all year including the holidays! In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and strategies to help you navigate the process of selling your home during the holiday season.

1. Embrace the Festive Spirit:

One of the advantages of selling your home during the holidays is the opportunity to showcase its warmth and charm during a time when many buyers are feeling nostalgic and sentimental. Embrace the festive spirit by tastefully decorating your home with holiday décor that enhances its appeal. Consider using seasonal accents such as wreaths, garlands, and twinkling lights to create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers. But don’t go overboard with decorations – your home can feel cluttered and smaller. Buyers need to see the home, not Santa decor.

2. Create Curb Appeal:

First impressions matter, especially when selling your home during the holidays. Potential buyers want to picture the house as their own and it’s hard to do if a lot of holiday decorations are distracting them. Enhance your home's curb appeal by maintaining a well-manicured lawn, cleaning up debris, and adding seasonal touches such as potted plants or a festive welcome mat. Try to stay away from overdoing it, like 5 giant blow-up yard balloons. Additionally, if you have a showing at night, turn on the outside and holiday lights to highlight key features of your home and create a warm and inviting ambiance. It makes your home look cheerful. Also, be sure to have the driveway and front walk clear of snow and ice. 

3. Price Strategically:

While the holiday season can be a slower time for real estate activity, it's essential to price your home strategically to attract motivated buyers. Work with your real estate agent to analyze market trends and set a competitive price that reflects the value of your home. Consider pricing your home below market value to attract more interest and potentially spark multiple offers. Bidding war is always the goal! You will have fewer showings, but the serious buyers will be looking.

4. Flexible Scheduling:

The holiday season is a busy time for many people, with holiday parties, travel plans, and family gatherings filling up the calendar. Be flexible with scheduling showings and open houses to accommodate potential buyers' busy schedules. Your Realtor can discuss offering virtual tours or video walkthroughs for buyers who may be unable to view the property. A professional home video is ideal this time of the year as buyers can tour the home to see if they want an in-person showing.

5. Highlight Winter Features:

During the colder months, certain features of your home may stand out more to potential buyers. Highlight winter-friendly features such as a cozy fireplace, heated floors, or energy-efficient windows that can help keep utility costs down. Use a smaller or thinner Christmas tree so it won’t overpower the living room. When the tree is added, remove some furniture to make the room look open and spacious.  Also, put up fewer decorations this year. Showcase these features in your listing photos and during showings to demonstrate the value they add to the home. Remember – buyers need to see all the great features of the house.

6. Keep it Cozy and Inviting:

When showing your home during the holidays, focus on creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that makes potential buyers feel at home. If you have a fireplace, turn it on to keep the temperature comfortable, play soft background music, and consider offering refreshments such as hot cocoa or cookies to make your home smell so appealing – all creating a memorable experience for visitors. You can also leave a plate of holiday cookies on the counter when you know your real estate agent is bringing prospective buyers through your home or for the open house. Also turn on all your lights, including your holiday lights and candles! Light makes a room feel larger. 

7. Consult a Home-Staging Professional for more Tips

A professional home stager can give you great advice on how to best showcase your home for a quick sale at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. Every listing with Dawn includes a complimentary Home Staging Consult! Dawn owned WNY Home Staging for 10 years before becoming a full-time Realtor in 2015.

8. Work with an Experienced Real Estate Agent:

A full-time Realtor who will be working over the holidays is critical. To be sure the home sells for the most money possible closes. Selling your home during the holidays requires expert guidance and support. Partner with an experienced real estate agent who understands the nuances of the holiday market and can help you navigate the process with confidence. Your agent can provide valuable insights, market your home effectively, and negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.

          Selling your home during the holidays may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and successful experience. By embracing the festive spirit, creating curb appeal, pricing strategically, offering flexible scheduling, highlighting winter features, keeping your home cozy and inviting, consulting a home-staging professional, and working with an experienced real estate agent, you can increase your chances of selling your home with success during this magical time of year. So, deck the halls, showcase your home's unique features, and get ready to welcome a new chapter in the new year. Happy selling! Give Dawn a call at:

585-317-7749 (Rochester)

716-288-6881 (Buffalo)

or email her at: 

DawnSoldAnother@kw.com

Visit our website at www.DawnSoldAnother.com