Here’s why a holiday home sale isn’t as crazy as it seems.
The holiday season, with all of its hubbub and to-dos, may seem like a poor time to sell a home, but here are seven reasons why now is a merry time to be a seller:
1. There are more motivated buyers out there. This is by far the most important reason why someone should consider listing their home during the holiday season. In the summer months, you’re likely to deal with way more looky-loos, or half-serious people who only jump on the home shopping bandwagon because it’s a fun time to explore the market. If a buyer is willing to brave the elements and work around their already jam-packed holiday calendar, they’re serious about buying your home.
2. There’s less competition among sellers. Many sellers pull their homes off of the market come winter, which means that all those serious buyers will have even less inventory to look at. Therefore, your listing has a chance to capture a larger share of the market.
3. You’ll net more money now. After the holidays, sellers jump back into the market in anticipation of the traditional spring selling season. If you wait until more homes hit the market, you’ll have to price your home even more competitively than you would right now. By selling in this season, you stand a better chance of fetching top dollar.
4. Decorated homes are a sentimental trigger for buyers. Nothing puts buyers in a better mood than the warm, nostalgic sight of a home that’s embracing the holidays. Though we’re working with the shortest days of the year, your curb appeal can still shine through to a buyer’s heart; simple outside lights and a wreath go a long way. On the inside, light up your tree, turn on your fireplace, and spread the holiday cheer!
5. You can restrict your showing times. You don’t have to sacrifice holiday traditions and family time for showings. We use a tool called ShowingTime, and it allows you to set the rules around your home’s accessibility. Of course, the more showings, the better, but everyone deserves to have their time respected during the holiday season.
6. Buyers have more time to shop. People usually get more time off from work around the holidays, and those with strong motivations for buying will use that time to look at homes. This extra time during the day helps buyers offset the defeating feeling of it being pitch black at 7 p.m.
7. You’ll have control over your closing date. Not only can you sell now for more money, but you’ll also be able to dictate your time frame so you can avoid having to uproot your life in the middle of year-end celebrations. Even if you get a contract locked in, you won’t have to actually move until the end of January or February.
Due to low inventory, sellers have had the reins in this market for most of the year, but their advantage is even greater now. Several buyers have told us that they’re feeling discouraged by the lack of homes coming on the market; they’re waiting for a home just like yours to pop up.
If you’re ready to sell now for more money and more favorable terms, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or email. We’ll be here for you through the holidays, and we’d love to help you maximize your home sale or just answer any questions you may have! Stay tuned for our next video, where we’ll be exploring some featured communities in our area. We always love to do research on all that’s available for buyers in our market, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve found with you!
