It's the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are fast approaching and thoughts turn to holiday decorating, baking and gift getting. It's an extremely busy time for most of us. It tends to be a less busy time in the real estate world, but there are still always those out looking to buy or sell a home.
With that in mind, I just wanted to pass along a few pointers for those folks with their homes listed for sale over the holiday season. If you are still living in your home, then you know it's not easy keeping the place clean and "show" ready on a steady basis. When getting ready for the holidays, it may make things easier to do some of the following:
Dos:
1. Do scale back when decorating for the holidays....way back! People still need to see the space and not your stuff. A christmas tree is fine, but don't let it overwhelm the room. That may mean having a smaller tree or putting it in a different space than you have in years past. Keep other decorations simple and on the "generic" side. Too many personalized items, photos or cards will keep buyers from picturing themselves living there. Same for outside the home. A few simple lights and a wreath or garland will look welcoming and "homey", but try to steer clear of all the giant blow up Santa's, Snowmen or a huge Menorah!
2. Do stay organized. Keep a calendar and arrange times for you to do your card writing, baking, gift wrapping, etc so you are doing one thing at a time. It makes it easier to clean up should you get a call for a showing and helps keep the clutter to a minimum.
3. Do secure your gifts and other valuables. You should always keep your valuables and medications out of site for showings, but don't forget about both wrapped and unwrapped gifts too.
4. Do make your visitors feel welcome! While you might not get as many showings this time of year, make the ones you do get count! Put out a plate of fresh baked goodies, use cinnamon or other potpourri scents, put on soft music and just make things feel inviting!
Don'ts:
1. Don't neglect the outside of your home. In addition to scaling back on the decorations, keep the yard raked up, walk ways clear, etc. Clean out the gutters and do paint touch ups where needed.
2. Don't leave candles burning. Use the new flameless candles to get the same effect or find other alternatives.
3. Don't allow your agent to take photos with holiday decorations. Again, the goal is for people to see the space and not how you decorated! Plus, if the pictures are just left on the listing or internet posting after the holiday, they just look silly. Insist on new pictures without the holiday decor immediately following the finish of the season if you do happen to have photos that show any seasonal decorations.
4. Don't over emphasize religious beliefs. It's best to keep your decor more neutral. For example, you may celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, but others may not. Use decorations that celebrate the more general holiday season. Remember you are trying to sell your home and you want the home to appeal to EVERYONE.
5. Don't Stress! Easier said than done, right? But really...it doesn't have to be complicated and actually, scaling back might help you stay more organized, on task and alleviate some of the stress!
I often tell my clients that it's not convenient to sell your home because it just isn't! But the holidays don't have to add to the inconvenience if you follow these basic guidelines. Any folks that do come through your house will feel welcome and still able to see the best features of your home because you haven't covered them up with the all holiday trimmings. And you are not missing out on potential buyers!
For more information or tips on selling during the holidays feel free to contact me directly at mpettis@century21properties.com or 843-860-3901. And for information on the Summerville and Charleston, SC area feel free to visit http://www.summervillerealestateonline.com/
Best Wishes and Happy Holidays!
Maria Pettis
Realtor, e-PRO
Century 21 Properties Plus
