Health & Fitness
Be Home For The Holidays and Stay Ready to Sell
Why home sellers should stay in the market from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.
Picture this. Your house has been listed for sale for a few months now. Your initial nervous excitement has long since worn off and now the (mostly) joyful chaos of the holiday season is here.
Your sister is visiting with her three year old twins. You went to a party last night, came home, left your clothes on the floor, dishes in the sink and your only goal, in the world right now, is to get that coffee maker going.
And then, it happens out of nowhere. Your broker calls with a showing appointment.
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As painful as it sounds, rally the troops, clean the house and head out to the Sugar Bowl; no shower necessary. Let them show the house.
Holiday Buyers are Serious
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Buyers looking for a home in November and December are serious, committed and focused. Many times, they have to move and are under a deadline. People moving as part of a corporate relocation are a good example. Time is short and they have days off to come and look.
Other Sellers Leave The Market
Inventory is lower over the holidays. You have less competition for those serious buyers. Supply and Demand. You may or may not get a better price than at other times of the year but your house will get more attention and consideration on a shorter list.
Your House Looks Great
OK, not the toys or glasses everywhere but the welcoming warmth of the lights and decorations. The smell of pine and the feel of a home will attract buyers in a much deeper way than the crisp order of a routine ‘show’ house.
How Do You Maintain Some Privacy?
Take off the lock boxes. Showings can be by appointment only with longer notice (ie. 24 hours).
Low key advertising without the property address. No sightseers. If buyers are serious, they will call a broker and make an appointment to see the house.
As much as sellers would love to take a break during the holidays, there is real opportunity in keeping your house active in the market when buyers are all business. Set some boundaries but be open and flexible and you could end up ahead of the game starting in the New Year.
