Give yourself a gift! Sell at Christmas!

 It is tempting for many sellers to temporarily withdraw from the market during the holiday season and wait until after New Years to display their property again, once the holidays are well and truly behind them. 

 This strategy works well for sellers who may have other obligations and may not be as engaged in selling their property while on vacation. Granted, there are plenty of distractions – parties, family obligations, and an endless to-do list. But if you’re motivated to sell, staying in the market during the holidays can pay off. 

 Competitive Price : A sure way to set your property apart from the competition is to price it correctly. The market is incredibly price sensitive. Even a slight overvaluation of a property can result in a loss of momentum and interest and many more days on the market. If your goal is to sell quickly, then overpricing is not a good strategy. 

 There may be fewer actively researching buyers in the market during the holidays, but a greater proportion of these buyers will be serious buyers who make their home search a priority. Work with your agent to develop an appropriate pricing strategy that works for you and will grab the attention of potential buyers as well. 

 Make your property shine:  Make sure your property looks its best. This is the golden rule no matter what time of year you are going to list your property, but it can be especially difficult during the holiday season. Out of town guests, holiday and winter decorations can all present challenges in keeping your property in presentable condition. 

 Mood lighting, a crackling fire in the fireplace and holiday decorations can make a property inviting and attractive, but only if they have been executed correctly and tastefully. Think classic and minimal. Going over the line with inflatable holiday lawn ornaments, too many multi-colored or flashing lights could be a major distraction for shoppers. Doing less is more. 

 Decorate strategically, organize yourself and make a plan so that you can easily and without much effort keep your property ready for a last minute visit request. 

 And if you are putting your property on the market for the first time, you may want to refrain from making any holiday decorations altogether, or temporarily removing them for the photoshoot. Besides the price, having great photos is one of the most important ways to showcase your property and gain the attention of potential buyers. 

 A few extra decorations on the mantel or a wreath on the banister can probably be overlooked in person, but they could be an irritant in your property photos and distract buyers and prevent them from noticing the most selling and impressive aspects. of your property. 

 Be flexible:  The best way to sell your property while on vacation is to be flexible and make your property easy to view and be available. It may be easier said than done, but it’s important to keep your end goals in mind. You’ve already done the work of getting your property ready for sale over the holidays, but if you don’t keep a schedule flexible enough to allow buyers to view it, it will be a wasted effort. 

 Buyers looking during the holiday season are often more serious and more motivated to buy and close quickly. Buyers and sellers can take advantage of tax incentives to close the deal before the end of the year. Although you should speak with your tax advisor regarding your personal tax situation. 

 Selling while on vacation also allows you to reach out-of-town buyers who may only be in town for a short time, hunting down properties while on vacation, or visiting family. The schedule during the holidays can be difficult, so the more flexible you can be in showing buyers, the better the chance of a successful sale. 

 Finally, for serious sellers, listing your property during the holidays has obvious advantages. Fewer listings means less competition, and shoppers looking during the holidays tend to be more motivated and ready to close quickly. 

 Prepare for a successful quick sale of your property this holiday season. Competitive pricing to attract buyers, make your property shine (less is more), be flexible about planning so you can show potential buyers around and keep your goal in sight. Because, ultimately, what better way to start the New Year than with a fresh start and the successful sale of your property?

And you, when did you think you would sell or buy? were you wondering when is the best time?