It’s the holiday season once again – time to organize and go to parties, shop for gifts, decorate homes, and simply enjoy the company of friends and family. Getting around the hustle and bustle of this season’s activities is already a lot to begin with, and home sellers tend to ask themselves, “Is this a good time to sell my home? Is it really worth it to keep my house on the market – or not?”

Realtors have come to know that this is a great time to sell your home. In fact, the holiday season brings unique opportunities unlike the rest of the year. In a recent survey of real-estate professionals by Realtor.com, it was found that this may be a good time to sell your home and keep it on the market. 79% of people surveyed think that buyers are more serious during this time of year. And, 61% said that less competition among properties is definitely an advantage of selling at this time.

Another reason to sell your home during this season is that it looks more festive during the holidays, with all the decors and even the snow, which contributes in giving a perfect holiday feel.

Here are several other reasons to keep your home on the market:

  • One of the highest percentages of “Listings Sold to Listing Taken” occurs during this time of year.
  • You may receive more money for your home now because you have less competition.
  • Throughout the holiday, you may restrict showings during your personal family events.
  • Serious buyers will take more time to look at homes during holidays.
  • By selling now, you can have a delayed closing or extended occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you choose to do so.

Once you’ve decided to sell your home during the holiday season, here are a few things to keep mind:

  • Decorate but don’t go overboard. Homes often look their best during the holidays, but sellers should be careful not to overdo it on the decor. Too much clutter also makes your house look smaller, and hides important aspects of your home.
  • Use more splashes of red than green because red is an emotionally appealing color.
  • Resist the urge to hang Christmas banners or streamers, use greenery instead. Evergreen and rosemary garlands are a good alternative.
  • Avoid offending buyers by opting for general fall and winter decorations rather than items with religious themes.
  • Exteriors are a top priority. Bare trees equal a more exposed home, so touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Make sure that your home is well-lit and the walkways are cleared of leaves and ice.
  • Take top-notch real estate photos. With the chilling weather outside, chances are homebuyers will start their house hunt from the comfort of their own homes – and that’s by browsing through listings over the internet. Make a good first impression by offering lots of flattering, high-quality photos of your home. Margie hires a professional photographer when she lists your home. Call her for a personal marketing consultation.
  • Welcome potential buyers with the warmth and comfort your home can offer. Let home buyers feel that this can be a place they could live in. Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by setting up the heat in a comfortable temperature, lighting up the fireplace, playing soft classical music and offering homemade holiday treats. When you encourage buyers to spend more time in your home, you also give them more time to admire its best features.

If you are thinking of selling your home during the holiday season, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional real-estate agent! Contact Margie McIntyre at 775/250-3181 or email her at Margie@margiemcintyre.com.