Want to get your home show-ready while also enjoying the holiday with your family and friends? It’s easier than you think. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Lighten up on Decorations
While you’ll want to enjoy the season, don’t feel the need to cover every possible surface in holiday décor. It’s important for buyers to be able to see the space and get a sense of how it works during the non-holiday months of the year. Go for a more minimalist, decluttered holiday look that enhances, rather than hides, the home.
Focus on Outdoor Spaces
Even though it’s winter, don’t neglect your outdoor spaces. Keep paths and surfaces clear of leaves and new-fallen snow. Optimize outdoor lighting so that buyers can see well, even when it gets dark early.
Warm up the Space
Speaking of cozy, take advantage of the season to enhance the indoors as well. Greet potential buyers with the scent of something baking in the oven and a plate of holiday cookies on the counter. Light evergreen scented candles and start a fire in the fireplace. Make visitors feel welcome and right at home.
Take Photos Before you Decorate
Just in case your home doesn’t sell before December 25th, it’s a good idea to take listing photos before you decorate, or have your agent take new photos after the holiday décor is put away. You don’t want buyers looking at photos with holiday decorations in mid-January. It will make your listing feel stale, even if it hass only been up for a couple of weeks.
Right Price Your Home for a Faster Sale
If you’re motivated to sell, this is not the time to test the market and hold out for a higher-than-average sale price. Talk to your agent about comparable properties in your area, and ensure that you price your home correctly at the beginning of the process for maximum market impact.
A real estate agent or broker has the market insights, professional network, and buyer pool you need to get your home sold any time of the year. Talk to them about your timeline and your financial requirements and they’ll help craft a plan that makes sense for you.
By Bonnie Marlow, Broker/Owner, Cisco Realty
Bonnie Marlow, Realtor 