Selling during the holiday season doesn’t have to feel like the Grinch stole your Christmas. Plus, you might think that working home showings into a busy holiday schedule is like trying to shove a 20ft Christmas Tree into the back of your Mini Cooper! It might sound crazy but there are a few good reasons why selling your home over the holidays can be advantageous to you. Here are a few tips to consider if you are thinking about listing your home this time of year.
Less Competition = Serious Buyers
Inventory is lower at this time of year because most sellers wait until spring to put their homes on the market. With less real estate listings over the holiday season, your home is going to stand out and attract those serious buyers. Now is not the time to overprice your home to test the market. With fewer buyers and less options to choose from, you want to take advantage of this opportunity and price your home to sell quickly.
Market your home with awesome photos and make it a “Must See” property
Buyers may not venture outside as much in winter conditions to view homes. They will have narrowed down their “Must See” list after looking at photos of listings online. So it is imperative that you capture their attention at first glance by creating a visual story of your home online with spectacular photos and videos. Be creative and take advantage of this festive season to capture photos of your home that stand out from the typical real estate listing.
Be flexible with showings
This can be quite tricky. It’s inevitable that you will have made various commitments to entertain family and friends over the holiday season. Keeping your home in “Show Ready” condition can be really challenging. However, you can take advantage of this festive season and create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your showings. A beautifully decorated tree, the fresh scents of pine and cinnamon, the fireplace crackling and Christmas lights glowing, will all help to create a perfect picture and invite buyers to see how their own family traditions can be created in your home. And don’t forget the curb appeal. Welcome your potential buyers with warm classic Christmas lighting and potted greenery to greet them.
Tax Benefits
Smart home buyers are looking for any break they can get, which can make buying at the end of the year particularly beneficial. Capturing the tax benefits of buying a home before year-end means that they can write off some of the expenses of their home purchase on their taxes. The following tax-deductible expenses can include:
Mortgage interest
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums
Real estate taxes
Moving and/or relocating costs
These possible tax benefits may also increase the buyer’s motivation to purchase and close on a property before the New Year. If you’re the seller, you could ring in the New Year with some tax breaks, too!
Prep for moving on
When selling during the holidays, you need to have the mindset that a buyer may come along who wants a quick close. What if it lands right smack dab in the middle of your holiday festivities? This is a common dilemma many sellers face when trying to buy and sell simultaneously. Have your ducks lined up in a row when it comes to where you will be living. Do you have a home already located for purchase? Thinking about all the “what ifs” should be well thought out in advance. This will help to greatly reduce your stress levels and allow things to fall into place more efficiently.
There’s no question shorter days, colder weather, and fewer buyers can make the prospect of selling your home during the holiday season a challenge. However, what others find might be a challenge for them can create a great opportunity for you to take advantage of. If you are interested in learning more about the advantages of listing your home over the holidays, please reach out for your FREE home evaluation!
Happy Holidays from My House to Yours!