Have you been thinking about selling your home over the holiday season, or need to sell in November or December?
Whether you have to sell before the new year or you are just hoping to attract the most motivated buyers, this season is actually a unique and promising time for home sellers. From the inviting nature of holiday décor to the lack of competition in the Twin Cities real estate market, listing a home for sale in early winter may actually be a smart strategy for home sellers who truly want to stand out. And, even if selling during the holidays isn’t exactly a choice, you have some seasonal advantages that don’t apply during the spring and summer months.
Here are some fantastic ways (and reasons) to capitalize on this time of year:
Attract Buyers on a Tight Schedule
Selling during the holidays is just as unconventional as buying during the holidays. That means your potential buyers may have some time-sensitive reasons to look right now, and they’re not looking for properties that will require a long negotiation process. Appeal to those sellers!
Whether it’s a family seeking to relocate before the next school semester or a business person who just got a new job, prospective buyers respond to listings priced to sell. Buyers who are in a rush to purchase also prefer sellers who are willing to close and move soon. So! This is a good time to list your home for sale if you’re able to get out quickly.
Flatter Your Home with the Holiday Spirit
You want every potential buyer to get a warm first impression of your home – one that leaves a lasting, pleasant feeling, making it easier to imagine themselves living there. Well, you’re in luck! As long as you don’t overdo it with your décor, getting festive is actually one of the easiest and quickest ways to achieve this.
Improve your curb appeal with a wreath on the front door or a twinkling tree in the living room window. Make every room of your home feel warmer with some simple, natural décor that doesn’t overwhelm the eye or obscure the features of each room and add memory-triggering seasonal scents of pine needles or warm cookies in the air.
These decorative touches are flattering to almost any property style, but holiday home sales are also easier when your potential buyers form a sentimental attachment to the space.
Take Photos that Tell a Cozy Story
These days, high-quality photos are essential for any seller. Your buyers should be able to click at their leisure and explore every room of your house without leaving their computer chair. And, when it starts to get more and more chilly, buyers are even more likely to want to check their options from the comfort of home. So, this is no time to skimp on the quality of your property photos.
Use photography to capture all the details buyers want to see, but more importantly, imagery that evokes strong happy and sentimental emotions. Make your space look as warm and inviting as possible and draw buyers in. If buyers have to schedule a showing in the snow just to figure out how big the bathrooms are, they may click to the next listing instead. However, if you showcase other inviting images of the property that draws them in, then they may not care if the snow is blowing because they will want to take a closer peek anyway.
TIP: If you have exterior shots of your home during the spring or summer, make sure you include them as well because buyers don’t want to fall for a lawn that looks great until the snow melts.
Weed Out Most of the Competition
One of the best things about holiday home sales? Less real estate inventory!
Your fellow home sellers may be waiting for Spring to list their properties for sale, so work with your real estate agent to take advantage of this time of year. Get to know the other properties on the market and figure out how to stand out, whether that means emphasizing unique features or adjusting the price to a merrier figure.
Lisa Ash with Keller Williams Realty Integrity NWhas a long and stellar home sales record in the Twin Cities real estate market.
She is passionate about keeping her clients informed and involved during the home sales process. If you need help listing your home for sale this holiday season, she has the resources and the experience to help.
Contact the Homes by Ash Real Estate Team today to learn more about their award-winning strategies for holiday home sellers in the Twin Cities.
612-701-8368
