Attract homebuyers even during the holidays with these useful tips.
(originally on HGTV, updated 2020)
The holiday season through January is often considered the worst time to put a home on the market. While the thought of selling your home during the winter months may dampen your holiday spirit, especially with the stresses of COVID-19, the season does have its advantages: holiday buyers tend to be more serious and competition is less fierce with fewer homes being actively marketed. First, decide if you really need to sell. Really. Once you’ve committed to the challenge, don your gay apparel and follow these tips from FrontDoor.
Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard.
Homes often look their best during the holidays, but sellers should be careful not to overdo it on the décor. Adornments that are too large or too many can crowd your home and distract buyers. Opt for general fall and winter decorations.
Hire a reliable real estate agent.
That means someone who will work hard for you and won’t disappear during the holidays. Ask your friends and family if they can recommend a listing agent who will go above and beyond to get your home sold. This will ease your stress and give you more time to enjoy the season.
Seek out motivated buyers.
Anyone house hunting during the holidays must have a good reason for doing so. Work with your agent to target buyers on a deadline, including people relocating for jobs in your area, investors on tax deadlines, college students and staff, and military personnel, if you live near a military base.
Price it to sell.
No matter what time of year, a home that’s priced low for the market will make buyers feel merry. Rather than gradually making small price reductions, many real estate agents advise sellers to slash their prices before putting a home on the market.
Make curb appeal a top priority.
When autumn rolls around and the trees start to lose their leaves, maintaining the exterior of your home becomes even more important. Bare trees equal a more exposed home, so touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Keep buyers’ safety in mind as well by making sure stairs and walkways are free of snow, ice and leaves.
Take top-notch real estate photos.
When the weather outside is frightful and now that most are staying indoors due to COVID-19, homebuyers are likely to start their house hunt from the comfort of their homes by browsing listings on the Internet. Make a good first impression by offering lots of flattering, high-quality photos of your home. If possible, have a summer or spring photo of your home available so buyers can see how it looks year-round.
Create a video tour for the Web.
You’ll get less foot traffic during the holidays thanks to inclement weather etc. But shooting a video tour and posting it on the Web may attract house hunters who don’t have time to physically see your home or would rather not battle snow and ice.
Give house hunters a place to escape from the cold.
Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by cranking up the heat and playing soft classical music. Given buyers time to admire your home’s best features.
Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing.
Bah, humbug! Lenders are scrooges these days, but if you’ve got the means, then why not offer a home loan to a serious buyer? You could get a good rate of return on your money.
Relax — the new year is just around the corner.
The holidays are stressful enough with gifts to buy, dinners to prepare, and social distancing to maintain. Take a moment to remind yourself that if you don’t sell now, there’s always next year, which, luckily, is only a few days away.
With their Multi-Cultural Background, over 35 years of combined experience selling Real Estate and because they are Licensed in New Jersey, New York and California, Rahul, Smitha and their team can offer global reach. They have lots of experience representing a diverse group of clients, from Local New Jersey Buyers & Sellers to Relocation and International/Foreign Buyers, Sellers and Investors. Rahul and Smitha are exceptionally well-respected Realtors in the industry with high ethical standards and GLOWING REVIEWS. Their team offers a high level of expertise, innovative technology and cutting-edge real estate marketing and sales solutions. Â They specialize in Morris, Somerset, Essex and Union counties.
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