Selling a home is never easy, but selling during the holiday season can be even more difficult. Many potential buyers will be traveling for family festivities and may not be able to see your home until January. However, if you play your cards right and follow these tips you’ll likely find someone willing to buy your home before Christmas:
Make sure your home is clean and tidy
- Declutter your home and remove distractions – Buyers need to envision themselves living in the home that they’re looking at. If you keep your stuff scattered all over the house it will be difficult for them to do that. Remove any clutter from counter tops, empty out your closets, and remove personal photos from walls.
- Clean kitchen appliances – Make sure to clean your stove, oven, and refrigerator before the buyer comes over for a showing. It may not be pleasant but it will definitely give buyers confidence in purchasing your home.
- Make a good first impression – You only have one chance to make a first impression and that’s especially true when selling your home. Make sure the exterior of your house is clean and tidy. You should also make sure that your landscaping looks presentable. Piles of leaves and dead plants will send a negative message to buyers so be sure to take care of this beforehand.
Organize closets and clear out clutter
- Clear out clutter that you don’t need. You should also organize your closets so that they look presentable. This will give the buyer the impression that your home is well-maintained and spacious.
- If you want to declutter your home but don’t know where to begin, consider renting a self storage unit. This will also give you the extra space you need to store your belongings until you find a new home.
- Minimize holiday decorations – Christmas is a time for family and friends, not for decorating your house. If you have too many decorations it will make your home feel cramped and cluttered. Scale back on the number of ornaments, lights. and wreaths you have on your house.
Remove any fragrant candles, air fresheners, or other home fragrance items that could irritate your allergies.
- If you’re a smoker, make sure to smoke outside or away from your home.
- Any scented candles, air fresheners, or other home fragrancing items that might cause allergies in potential buyers should also be removed.
- Prepare a fragrant apple cider simmered on the stove, as well as cups and serving utensils.
- Replace scented candles with plants and flowers for a more natural fragrance.
Find an agent that specializes in selling homes during the winter season
Not all real estate agents are created equal. If you want to sell your home during the holiday season, it’s important to find an agent that specializes in this type of sale. They will have more experience with negotiating and closing deals during this time of year.
If you don’t have a real estate agent, consider using a Realtor from American Realty Company. We have a team of professional real estate agents that will work with you to sell your house during the holiday season and correctly price it so that buyers are interested.
Be realistic about your price – don’t try to sell a house for more than it’s worth
- Price your home to sell – If your home is priced significantly higher than other homes on the market or if it sits for an extended period of time you’ll have a much harder time selling. So talk things over with an experienced Realtor, to understand the best price to list your home in today’s market.
- Be prepared to negotiate – It’s always important to be prepared to negotiate when selling your home. Don’t be afraid to lower your asking price if it means that you can sell your home before Christmas.
Keep in mind that many people will be traveling during this time so plan accordingly
The holidays are a busy time for everyone so make sure your home is ready to show at any moment. If you’re not prepared to show your home during the holiday season, it will likely sit on the market for a longer period of time.
If you take the necessary steps to prepare your home for sale, you’ll be able to sell it before Christmas. And who knows, maybe you’ll even get a Christmas present out of the deal!
