All I want for Christmas is my... House Sold!

Last night I got a phone call from an anxious seller and they wanted to know if it would be smart if they postponed the selling of their home until after the holidays.  My reply would be a definite NO!  I explained to them that the holiday season is one of the best times to sell.  Wait - wait, calm down - I have some very valid reasons.

1. I myself, do drive by site seeing in the car with my kids from now until after Christmas.  This is a tradition.  My husband and I get our cups of Joe and we saddle up the kids and we drive past all the homes that are decorated.  (I don't like being cold, so this is when I am thankful for my seat warmers).  I see alot of people doing the same thing as we do, so having a 'For Sale' sign out is a great thing to have if you are selling.  Last year while we were doing out outing I saw a home that utilized the sign and had Santa holding the For Sale sign and it was all decorated up. 

2. Holiday Mess = Holiday Cheer!  - Excellent!  If you are currently selling your home, decorate it.  This is almost the easiest and best way to STAGE your home it brings life to your home with all the festive decorations.  BUYERS love to see a happy home - and the holiday time is the best time to show your cheer.   Don't hold back on your decorations because of the fear of you having to move - you have time.   Any offers that you get now, will most likely not close until after the New Year.  So decorate - decorate and decorate more!

3. The people who are coming out and taking time out of their busy schedules to view your home are serious home buyers.  These are not nosy neighbors, these are not lookers - these people want to buy, need to buy and WILL buy.  So as hard as it may be to show during this season make every effort to show. 

During the holiday season when friends and family gather, people realize that they might have out grown their present home - so the homes that are currently on the market have the "one up" on everyone else.  Because as buyers are looking and searching the homes that are right now on the market are getting looked at, by serious buyers.  IF you wait until the Spring to list your home then you will lose out.  I am not using that as a scare tactic - but it is true.  If a buyer has children and has to enroll them into a new school - then the buyers  need a fully executed contract by January - March.  So if your thinking of selling or ARE currently selling - the worst thing to do right now is to take the home off the market.   

Happy Holidays all ---- and to all a good night!!