Trying to sell your home? The thought of having your home listed during the holiday season may be leaving you a little anxious. There’s so much happening that you just aren’t sure you can handle it. And does anyone really buy a home during the holidays? Especially with high interest rates and a cooling market.
It’s a lot. You may be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. Don’t.
There may be fewer potential buyers, but there also are fewer available listings, which can help increase the odds yours will sell. Another bonus: The holidays provide a unique opportunity to showcase your home during the most festive season of the year. Here are some ideas to make your home stand out:
Make your home festive — but not too festive. You don’t want to go overboard like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. But do put out a few simple and tasteful decorations to liven up your home. Twinkling lights add warmth, and a wreath on the front door can be a nice touch. If you can bake a batch of cookies and have them cooling while potential buyers walk through your home, it can help make your kitchen warm and inviting.
Keep the thermostat turned up. Everyone wants to save money on heating costs — especially if you’ve already moved out of the home you’re trying to sell. But this isn’t the time of the year you want potential buyers to walk into a cold home. Keep it nice and warm inside your home. Do you normally keep some heating vents closed in rooms you don’t use? Open them up. And if you have one, consider turning on a gas or electric fireplace while your home is being shown.
Keep walkways and stairs free of ice, snow, and any debris. Make sure there are no areas leading up to your front door that could cause someone to slip and fall. Rake up any leaves and keep the front yard tidy.
Price it right. Homes priced right are still selling in most areas. Think twice about listing your home far above comparable homes in the area to leave room for negotiation. It could scare off potential buyers.
Showing your home during the holidays may not be your idea of fun. But if you do it right, you may be able to attract a buyer before spring, when many sellers once again put their homes on the market.