That special time of year is sneaking upon us once again. It’s the time of year where the weather gets brisk, and we look forward to the merriment with family and friends.
If your home is still on the market (or you’re on the hunt for a new place to call home), here are some tips for keeping the momentum going through the holidays.
You may have a stockpile of holiday decorations sitting somewhere in your basement or attic collecting dust. Instead of pulling out every single ornament or light this year, choose a few pieces and decorate sparingly.
Homebuyers want to choose a home that they can picture themselves in. Decorations that are too distracting, or related to a holiday they don’t celebrate, can be off-putting.
During colder months, buyers are also more likely to browse through home listings from the comfort of their couch. Make sure your curb looks appealing, and your photos are presenting your home in a way that will pique the interest of online shoppers.
During the holidays, home sellers can experience a loss of traffic at open houses and less interest overall. However, you should not give up.
The silver lining for sellers is that you know buyers who keep the search going are serious. Price the home aggressively with the guidance of your agent, and you may be able to sell before the year is over.
Fewer buyers are vying for seller attention during fall and winter holiday months. This is great news for you!
There will be less competition and sellers may be more open to negotiation. Buying before January also means you can qualify for homeowner related tax deductions in the new year. Even if you’re hosting guests or taking tropical vacations over the next few months, stay committed to your home search so you can reap the rewards of buying during this season.
Think about getting prequalified and preapproved for a mortgage sometime soon to get the ball rolling quickly when you find a home you love.
Whether you’re buying or selling, make sure that you hire agents, lenders, appraisers, and other team members that are committed to the process. The holiday season is a time that’s synonymous with out-of-town travel and automated email away messages. Review the schedules of everyone who’s helping you buy or sell a home to avoid becoming frustrated with an inconsistent team.
Spring and summer are considered the hot months for buying and selling. However, the holiday season presents another opportunity to find the perfect house or perfect buyer.
