Most real estate markets, regardless of how long their "season" is, are slower during the winter holidays. It makes sense, right? People are traveling, visiting with family and friends, and throwing and attending events. But you know what? There are still people who need to buy and sell homes during the holidays!
In my experience, a lot of company transfers happen during this time. I think it's easier, since the business may be slower or the offices closed for the holidays. Folks who work in a school system, for example, are also likely to need to move during the holidays when school isn't in session.
In Asheville and the surrounding areas, the market slows down the most during January and February as we're all recovering from the festivities. November and December, however, are still prime selling months. Why is that?
Buyers Have Time
Unlike during the typical work week, the average buyer will likely have more time to view properties. They may have even scheduled extra vacation time during the holidays just to be able to find a home, instead of trying to squeeze in time after work and on the weekends.
Pro tip: If you're selling your home over Thanksgiving or Christmas, DON'T agree to host this year! Buyers may want to view your home on the days just before and after the actual holiday, and you won't have to find somewhere else to prep your turkey.
Less Competition
When you're selling your home, the house becomes a product. It's my job as your agent to help you start to see it more as a product competing with other houses for sale, as opposed to continuing to see the home as the place where you raised your family or the place where you spent happy years. It will always be the latter for you, but in order to sell it effectively, the best approach is to treat it as an item for sale in a busy marketplace.
This means that during a time when there are fewer homes for sale, your home automatically stands out more. There's less noise in the market and your house doesn't have to work as hard to stand out. This means that you don't have to work as hard, too! Yes, it's still important to declutter, keep things clean and tidy, and to stage the home, but you likely won't have to do or spend as much to prepare it.
Holiday Decor
Every house looks better with holiday decorations! Whether it's for Christmas, Hanukkah, or winter, pretty decor and glowing lights create a sense of coziness and warmth that buyers love.
The good news is that you don't have to be like Clark Griswold to create the effect. Remember, the importance of decluttering applies to decorations, too! For the exterior of the home, consider neatly hanging some warm-white lights along the front roofline or along another prominent architectural line. Place a wreath or some evergreen garland on the front door and buyers will love the extra curb appeal.
For the interior of your home, choose one primary focal point for your decor- a Christmas tree, a menorah, or a window with icicles- and draw buyers' attention to it. Keep the rest of the home simple! Place a centerpiece on the dining room table, wrap a staircase railing with garland, or put a small lamp that ties in with your theme on the kitchen counter. Buyers still want to see the home and be able to imagine their belongings in it, and they won't be able to do that if your holiday decorations are everywhere.
Pro tip: If you're selling an empty, vacant home, dress up the exterior of the home as suggested and skip the interior decorating. Decor placed inside the home will look odd and out of place without professional staging.
Enjoy the Holidays
No matter how much preparation or planning you do, selling your home will be stressful. As your agent, I do my best to mitigate how much stress you have to deal with, but some stress just comes with the territory. Even though you've decided to sell during the winter holiday season, you're guaranteed those days to relax. Banks, attorneys, and the register of deeds offices will all be closed, and the vendors used for inspections and surveys will take the time off, as well. You will get a chance to breathe and relax, and the process will resume once the holidays have passed.
Curious about selling your home during the holidays? Leave me your questions in a comment!
-Laura
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