You've bitten the bullet -there's no way around it-you're selling your home during the holidays.  This time of year is unlike any other time of the year when I'm showing homes.  Although my activity has slowed down from the summer season, the buyers that I've shown during the holidays are much more serious. Home Decorated for the Holidays

I noticed a recurring theme with the houses my clients liked this week - they were all warm, cozy, inviting, smelled nice, and, yes, they were decorated for the holidays.  Based on my observation I'd like to give you a few pointers that are selling during the holidays: 

  1. Create an attractive environment that will allow buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons.
  2. Spruce up your home by cleaning and decorating to give your home that "picture postcard" look.
  3. Make sure that your decorations are elegant and inviting and not intimidating or "over the top". 

These are the types of things you need to check off for the holidays in your home:

  • A fresh coating of paint and a spotlight on the exterior door works wonders to create a cheery mood upon entering. 
  • Keep in clean - clean daily, especially in high traffic areas. 
  • Make your home beautiful and inviting by setting the stage with the correct lighting - High-watt bulbs  show off a home better than low-watt bulbs.
  • Leave the radio on a station that plays Christmas music during the holidays.  In my area 93.9 and mix 101.5 are two. 
  • Make sure your home "smells" like Christmas - Insert plug-ins with a mild Christmas/apple/cinnamon scent. 
  • Make sure that Christmas decorations don't interfere with the floor plan or spacing in the home.
    • For example, I showed a home last year where they tried to stuff their wall mounted fish next to the Christmas tree in a small dining room.  You know, the kind that sings some silly song.
  • Keep Christmas decorations simple and elegant. 
  • Keep the personal photos to a minimum so that buyers can see themselves living cozily in the home.

I know this isn't the silver bullet to selling a home.  If I had one I certainly know I'd use it.  However, keeping these simple tips in mind will be one more reason to keep your home in contention and to land a buyer. 

 

 

 

17 Comments on Fonville Morisey Listing Agent>>First Impressions Mean Everything To Buyers, Especially During the Holidays

And if they leave Christmas cookies to munch on....that really goes a long way with buyer agents!

Dick, on a diet 1/1/08, Beals

12/04/2007 07:12 PM by Wilmington Real Estate 4U


 

 Dick,

Why do you think I'm writing about food & fun now?

Tracy, on a diet 1/1/08, commitment to running again too, Santrock

 

12/04/2007 07:15 PM by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog (Fonville Morisey)


Tracy, I think you're right on target.  The people who are out there now are totally serious!

12/04/2007 08:53 PM by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company)


Wonderful suggestions, Tracey. And the homes pictures were inviting. Makes me want to get out the decorations and get busy.

12/04/2007 11:39 PM by Bonnie Westbrook Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Marketing (Five Star Real Estate Ada MI)


Tracy:  Everything you wrote is so true in my humble but professional opinion.  The cabin rental side of my company is doing many of the things you mentioned just to make the holidays more enjoyable and what a difference it makes to those visitors who open the door and are greeted with cheery holiday decorations, etc.

12/05/2007 10:28 AM by Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor North Georgia Blue Ridge Real Estate (Mountain Investments of North Georgia)


Donna,

It's definitely an interesting time.  Glad to have your input on home selling also.

12/07/2007 10:28 PM by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog (Fonville Morisey)


Tracy, you can't be doing too much wrong if you were featured in week in review.  Let it go, girl.  You wrote a fantastic article complete with beautiful pics that are inspiring!  

12/09/2007 06:37 PM by "Antoinette" Scognamiglio ~ GRI Morris County, New Jersey Homes for Sale (Prudential New Jersey Properties)


Wonderful post.    The photos you selected are great examples of tasteful and festive decorations that should not put off any potential buyers.

 

12/09/2007 06:39 PM by Connie King, CK Staging & Design (CK Staging & Design)


Thanks Connie - I had another agent that used the same "theme" after me and I"m glad that you and others have recognized the "original" intent of this post.

12/09/2007 06:42 PM by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog (Fonville Morisey)


Hi Tracy,

This is a great post! I love selling homes during the holidays and these tips are winners, beautiful pictures too! :)

12/09/2007 06:48 PM by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (Century 21 Associates Realty)


I'm really not a snob but it's wonderful to go through homes during the holidays where the sellers have good taste.  It makes all the difference in the buying process. :)

12/09/2007 06:49 PM by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog (Fonville Morisey)


Hi Tracy,

All great tips to follow.  Thanks for sharing!

12/09/2007 07:00 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Great Tips!  I was showing houses yesterday and only ONE had any decorations.

12/10/2007 11:26 AM by Debbie Cook (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc)


Debbie - Really? That's just amazing. Appropriate decorations are a huge it.  Notice the emphasis on appropriate too!

12/10/2007 03:08 PM by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog (Fonville Morisey)


Very nice series of tips.  In many ways, the holidays can be a wonderful time to sell if home owners know how to highlight the features that make us want to come home for the holidays.

12/10/2007 03:09 PM by Lola Audu~ Audu Real Estate~ Grand Rapids, MI Broker


Finding listing agents during the holidays that will work with you and make sure your home is critical.  If the home has been on the market for a whle they may need to take it to the next level and stage the home. 

12/13/2007 10:50 PM by Jenn


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Real Estate Agent: Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog (Fonville Morisey)
Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate Blog
Cary, NC
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Fonville Morisey

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Welcome to my Triangle Area Real Estate Blog. This blog provides Triangle Area real estate information and resources to guide homeowners and buyers through the process of selling and buying a house, townhome or even investment property. If you are interested in Triangle Real Estate, please e-mail me here for a personal response! Thanks and let's get blogging!


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