Although most people relish the arrival of the holiday season, real estate activity tends to grow in sluggish around this happy time of year. Many prospective buyers simply have other priorities on their minds. You’ll want to make an extra effort to attract attention to the most appealing aspects of your property now:
One: De-Clutter And Simplify
When you offer your home for sale, encourage potential buyers to envision themselves residing there. Many sales experts recommend removing as much of your personal property from the premises as possible to encourage this mindset. Naturally, you treasure your belongings. Yet to casual visitors your grandfather’s worn old chair or your son’s favorite pair of gym sneakers scream “clutter”.
Consider stripping down your household furnishings to the bare minimum. If necessary, rent a storage unit as a temporary home for any unnecessary household possessions. By simplifying your interior design, you’ll inspire prospective buyers to see themselves filling your premises with their own prized possessions!
Two: Create Exterior Curb Appeal
During the holiday season, it remains especially important to dispel any sense of mid-winter gloom. You’ll want to ensure your home appears inviting from the curb. No one enjoys taking time to tour a residence situated in the midst of a cold, dormant terrain- especially during the convivial holiday season.
Fortunately, several strategies offer assistance. To “spruce up” your grounds (pun intended), place potted evergreens near the front door or along the entrance; they’ll display vibrant green throughout the year. You might also consider using colored mulch in the garden to add rich, decorative earth tones to the yard. Consider hanging a festive wreath on the front door. Most importantly, ensure your home’s exterior lights function correctly; by late afternoon, visitors sometimes require extra illumination at this time of year.
Three: Use Aroma Power
The ability to use powerful scents in your home also assists you during the holiday season. Studies show the sweet aroma of cinnamon rolls appeals to most people. Bake some in the oven before a showing to infuse your kitchen with an alluring scent.
Pine air fresheners may also prove welcome now. Remember, some visitors particularly notice pet odors. You may wish to obtain professional carpet cleaning to remove these lingering scents from upholstery.
Four: Promote Your Home Widely
The holiday season enables you to promote your home widely to your network of friends and neighbors. At social gatherings, mention you’ve placed your home for sale. Local people often know interested possible buyers.
It remains important not to monopolize holiday gatherings with your home marketing news. Yet you should share this information. Your friends may wish to help you by contributing their own friendly word-of-mouth advertising.
Five: Create a Festive Atmosphere at Your Open Houses
Make your residence appealing by creating a festive atmosphere during holiday open houses. Even if you don’t want to set up a fully decorated natural tree, you might consider locating small white artificial Christmas trees in several rooms to create a festive décor. (Just keep the decorations simple and uncluttered.)
Offering small candies or warm apple cider to your visitors confers a party-like atmosphere during open house tours. Make sure you ask everyone to sign a guest book. You can follow up with potential buyers later to see if they have considered purchasing your home.
Many Rewards
By continuing to promote the sale of your property during the holiday season, you may obtain a welcome outcome. Even if a closing does not occur until after the celebrations end, your efforts to sell your home won’t have occurred in vain. Selling real estate sometimes requires time and patience. Your prospects may discuss your property in depth during family gatherings and bring you an offer once most businesses resume their normal operations!
David Glenn is a home improvement expert. He occasionally freelance writes about home maintenance and DIY home repair. He’s also knowledgeable about topics like how to improve social presence and building a reputation online.
