Two Tips For Selling Your Home During The Holiday Season
Selling a home during winter is tough, but trying to unload one during the holiday season can be especially challenging. Not only do you have to fight against the discouraging effects of the cold weather, but you are also competing against the million other things trying to capture buyers' attention and money. With some effort, though, you can sell your home during this busy time. Here are two tips that may help.
Go Where the Desperate Buyers Are
Although there may be some buyers shopping around for homes during the holidays because they know they're more likely to get a home for cheap during this time, the vast majority of buyers will be people who are desperate to get into homes because of their personal situations. For instance, people relocating to the area for work will typically want to find and close on a house fairly quickly to avoid being locked into a rental lease.
Thus, work with your real estate agent to identify who the desperate buyers are in your area and brainstorm how to get your home listing in front of them. You'll want to make sure your home is advertised in the local "homes for sale" magazine or try to get a listing in a paper that's sold on the local military base, for example.
Be aware, desperate people will typically want to close fast, so making note of this on your listing will make your home more attractive to people who need to get into a piece of real estate fairly quickly.
Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal
The holiday season can be both your friend and foe when it comes to your home's curb appeal. On the one hand, bad weather can highlight the negative aspects of your house. Buyers may see firsthand just how troublesome it will be to shovel the driveway when it's full of snow. On the other hand, even unattractive homes can look great when decked out with holiday decorations.
Thus, do your best to make your home look as inviting and welcoming as possible. Make sure to remove weather-related debris after storms (e.g. snow, leaves, fallen branches) and put up lights and wreathes that put people in a festive mood. If possible, have your home professionally staged to highlight the interior's strong points and make it feel welcoming, and add a homey touch by baking cookies or burning holiday-scented candles.
For more tips about or help with selling your home during the holidays, contact a local real estate agent.