Tips for Selling your Home during the Holidays

You may have heard the holiday season from November through January is the worst time to put your home on the market. While listing your home during the winter months may throw a wrench into your typical holiday plans, selling during this time of year does have its advantages: holiday buyers tend to be more serious, and competition is less fierce with fewer homes being actively marketed. Check out the tips below to make this holiday selling season as productive and profitable as possible.

1. Don’t over-deck the halls

Homes often look their best during the holidays, but sellers should be careful not to overdo it on the decor. Adornments that are too large or too many can crowd your home and distract buyers. Also, avoid potentially alienating buyers by opting for general fall and winter decorations rather than items with religious themes.

2. Hire a reputable agent

That means someone who will work hard for you and won't disappear during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s.

3. Seek out the motivated buyer

Anyone house hunting during the holidays probably has a good reason for doing so. Work with your agent to target buyers on a deadline, including people relocating for jobs in your area, investors on tax deadlines, college students and staff, etc.

4. Make sure the price is right

No matter what time of year, a home that’s priced low for the market will make buyers feel merry. Rather than gradually making small price reductions, most agents advise sellers to slash their prices before putting a home on the market.

5. Make sure your curb appeal is on point

When the trees start losing their leaves, maintaining the exterior of your home becomes even more important. Bare trees equal a more exposed home, so touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Keep buyers’ safety in mind as well by making sure stairs and walkways are free of snow, ice, and leaves.

6. Provide an escape from the cold

Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by cranking up the heat, 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.

Selling or buying during the holiday season isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you’re motivated, the opportunity is there. Give Metrowest a shout today – we’d be happy to discuss your options this season!