When I meet with potential sellers one of the first questions that is asked is, “Is this a good time to sell my home?” The answer is that there is never a bad time to sell a home. Certain times of the year might lend themselves to a more active market, but people are always moving. So, if you find yourself having to sell your home in Locust Grove (or elsewhere) during the holiday season, then don’t worry! I’ve got you! Here is my holiday home selling guide to help you through the process.
Understand the current market
Ask your Realtor® to tell you what the average days on the market are for homes like yours in the area. Going into the home selling process with a clear understanding of how long it may take can help bring you some peace. Lately for the homes in Locust Grove, the average days on the market have been running around ninety. This means that you may get through all the holidays before you have to move.
While the market may be slower this time of year, the buyers who are out there requesting showings are serious buyers. Since less Locust Grove homes are on the market, this can also mean less competition for you as a seller.
Photos before decorating
Have photos taken of your home without the holiday decorations. If you’ve got up all the fall things and December hits, your home will feel stale on all the home search websites even though the pictures may only be a few weeks old. By presenting a professionally photographed home with no real nods to the season, these pictures will seem fresh whether a potential buyer looks at the photos of your home in Locust Grove on November 22nd, December 20th, or January 1st.
Simple decorations
I love a full out decorated home for the holidays. However, when you are trying to sell your home in Locust Grove simplicity is key. As buyers walk through your home, the goal is for the buyers to notice all the positive features of your home and not how many Nutcrackers you have. Make sure that the decorations are highlighting your home’s features such as a Christmas tree in front of a bay window or a table set up for Thanksgiving dinner.
If you aren’t interested in decorating for the holidays that is okay too! It may be easier for buyers to visualize their own things in the house if it is not decorated.
Plan Ahead
Do you host a big holiday dinner every year? Do you spend the weekend before Christmas making cookies with your family? If you have family traditions or plans that would limit buyer’s availability to view your home, then tell your Realtor® ahead of time and ask your agent to block out those days and times from showings. Remember, though, that the holiday season is busy for everyone, so be willing to be flexible when buyers request to see your Locust Grove home in person.
Exterior Curb Appeal
Just like the inside of your home should be kept simple with the holiday decor, so should the outside. Lawn inflatables while cute during the evenings are not so appealing during the daytime when they are just a heap of fabric laying in your yard. Here are some tips for keeping up the outside curb appeal in winter months.
Do a Daily Clean Up
Keeping a home ready for showings is always a task. Add some holidays to the mix and it can be a little harder to keep that pantry neat or those closets organized. Take a few minutes everyday to give each room in your home a quick spruce. This will help keep everything in order and make it less stressful when you need to head out of the door for a showing.
Does anything in the home buying process change over the holidays?
The process of buying or selling a Locust Grove home doesn’t change just because of the month. The only thing that the holidays may affect is the amount of time it takes for the home to close once it is under contract. Because banks, mortgage lenders, courts, and title companies are closed for holidays, it may take a few extra days to get the final approval for a mortgage, to file the closing documents, or to have the funds processed. Your Realtor® will help keep you informed of any delays in the process.
Are there any pros to selling over the holidays?
Yes! Typically there are less home in Locust Grove entering the market over the holidays. This means less competition for you as a seller. Plus, the buyers that are taking the time during this part of the year to view your home in person are serious buyers.
If you are ready to put your home in Locust Grove on the market, then I am here to help! Feel free to contact me to chat.
