There was a time when having a home on the market during the holidays was unthinkable. With buyers preoccupied by cooking, shopping and traveling, conventional wisdom said that house hunters would never have the time to search listings and visit open houses. Today’s buyers, however, can search for homes while making Thanksgiving dinner, on a plane back home or as they shop for gifts. In fact, new studies are showing that homes listed during the holidays are more likely to sell, sell closer to the asking price and sell more quickly. By following a few tips to listing during the holidays sellers can make the most of lower competition and motivated buyers.
Managing a home’s appearance during the fall and winter months is less about improvements and more about maintenance. Clearing the lawn of falling leaves and keeping walkways free from ice and snow is essential. Adding exterior lighting (whether string lights or spotlights) can help shine through the extended nights. Keeping decorations generic and inviting is just one tip to advertise your home during the holidays.
Make the home an inviting oasis where house hunters can come in from the cold and escape the wintry weather outside. Stage for the season with these DIY decorating tips, then get ready to crank up the heat and offer a few treats at showings.
After preparing a home for the holidays inside and out, great listing photos will attract buyers to a sale. During a time when it can be difficult for buyers to view a house in person, creating a video showcase can be a great way to show off a home online. Listings with videos receive more emails from interested buyers.
Determining the right price from the start helps sellers make the most of the first thirty days of their listing when they typically get the most views. Evaluating a mix of five active listings, five recently sold listings and five listings that have expired is just one of five tips for strategic pricing.
What are your favorite tips for holiday curb appeal?
