In 2006, my family of six embarked on yet another corporate relocation. This time the move was from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina. Some of you live this life, and know the drill. A nomadic life like in the military, you or your spouse get the call and you go, no matter the time of year.
We moved in seven days before Christmas. We unpacked the kitchen necessities and then the Christmas decorations. We hung the stockings by the chimney with care, and the tree found its home in the empty living room. That first night we ate pizza, and slept in sleeping bags under the glow of the tree lights. It wasn’t perfect but we were together, and we made the best of it.
In the housing market, the busiest times of year are spring and December. For families with children, the easiest time to transition is when there is a break in the school calendar. What I find to be the biggest difference in mindset of those searching during these two times is that, during December, there’s a heightened focus on finding the right place quickly. It’s a shorter break, with less time to get everything sorted out, so buyers want to get down to business and get the deal done fast.
If you are listing your home during the holidays, here are four tips to put your home in a winning position with buyers.
- Have a plan. Work with your agent to determine your showing schedule. Your agent can make sure showings do not impact your holiday activities.
- Make it festive. Yes, you can put up your decorations! That said, remember to follow the golden rule of staging: nothing with eyes, names or dates (no pictures of babies or graduation, etc.).
- Be gentle with yourself. Perfection is overrated. Do all the things you normally would do. Celebrate the joys of the season.
- Trust your agent. The average person buys or sells a home four times in a lifetime, but your real estate agent does this every day. Trust your agent’s experience and the process.
– Joannie Bates is a Realtor for Keller Williams Signature Partners. She works with clients in the surrounding area, with a focus on luxury and investment properties.
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