Benefits of Selling During the Holidays

Each year, the holiday season seems to arrive quicker and quicker. Now that we're officially in October, it's time to start thinking about what the holiday market looks like.

Are you considering selling your home soon? There's no denying that spring is one of the best times to sell your home, but there are also benefits to selling during an off-peak season. Let's break down the benefits of selling in the last few months of the year and look at tips to get your home off the market faster.

The Benefits

Shopping, and baking, and houseguests... oh my. As busy as your holiday season can be, it may be worth it to take a year off from decking the halls to sell your home.

There's less competition is cooler months. A large reason for seller success in the springtime is due to the warming temperatures and longer days. Both of these benefits actually create a very competitive market, so sellers listing in the cooler months will find fewer homes to compete with.

Buyers are more serious. In the spring and summer, buyers tend to shop without a clear plan to purchase because they know their options are plentiful. During the holidays, on the other hand, buyers are less likely to waste their already limited time browsing multiple homes.

Transfers are looking for housing. As the end of the year draws near, employees who need to transfer to a new city, or even a new state, will be home shopping through the holidays. These homebuyers don't have time to wait until the spring, so time is on your side in this scenario.

Your neighborhood is decorated. With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away and Christmas shortly after that, homes in your neighborhood will be adorned with plenty of pumpkins, and later, Christmas lights or decorations. As buyers drive by, they will have the chance to experience what their own holiday festivities will look like in the upcoming year. You can also make your home festive on the inside with warm scents and colors that are welcoming to visitors.

Holiday Selling Tips

Are you ready to take the leap and sell your home? Selling in the last few months of the year can be tricky, but we have a few tips to make the process easier.

Get your finances in order. No matter what time of the year you sell, you'll need a trusted lender to guide you through the home loan process.

Hire a reliable real estate agent. Your agent will be just as busy, if not busier than you are as they juggle the holidays on top of selling your home. Ask around, read online reviews, or ask your Mortgage Advisor to recommend an agent that will take the time you need to sell your home.

Seek out motivated buyers. Request that your Realtor find buyers or investors on specific deadlines to buy if you're also on a deadline to sell. College students and military personnel are two more recommended groups that sellers target during October through December.

It might also be beneficial to price your home to sell, right off the bat. Rather than slowly dropping the price, list your home at a reasonable price from the get-go.

Decorate... to an extent. Curb appeal should be a top priority of buyers during winter months. This means clearing out dead plants, raking leaves, and keeping gutters cleaned out. On top of yard maintenance, minimal outdoor decorations are welcome. For example, single-colored string lights and door wreaths. Large blow-up displays or overwhelming lights could distract buyers from the house itself.

This rule goes for inside the home as well. By all means, embrace the holiday spirit and decorate, but don't clutter shelves and walls past the point of enjoyment for potential buyers. Their main focus should still be on the home, rather than your festive display.

Have photos taken of your home. When the cold winds start blowing, no one wants to begin their home shopping journey outside. Listing your home with professional photos will allow buyers to get a good idea of what your home features before ever stepping inside.

Could this holiday season be the time you decide to sell? Contact a Mortgage Advisor today to learn more.