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The holiday season is upon us, but that does not mean the world of real estate comes to a standstill.
“There is still activity and people will always need to move,” said Jules Zaphire, a real estate professional at The Pantiga Group. “From my experience, the week between Christmas and New Years is the only time I really see little to no activity.”
This means that if you plan to put your home on the market this month, there are some tips and tricks to get your property sold.
One of the most common debates this time of year is whether or not to put up decorations. There is a mix of opinions from various real estate industry professionals.
When it comes to listing the home, realtors agree that photos appearing in the MLS should not include decorations in case the property does not sell before the end of the year. After that, there are a variety of ways to approach decorating for the holidays.
“Decorations can be nice because it gives the home a feeling of family and celebration. If done tastefully, it can help buyers visualize how they can utilize the space during the holidays if they decide to buy,” said Rob Jensen, broker/owner of the Rob Jensen Company. “Put Christmas lights on your for sale sign – get creative!”
Zaphire prefers to make sure no religious preference is shown in the decorations, while Deric Zaphire, a mortgage loan originator with RFA Capital, emphasized that whatever is set up needs to be temporary.
“It can’t leave holes in your walls or lawn or leave any remnants because that is when they will cause an issue,” Deric Zaphire said.
Brian Carlucci, a loan officer with Advisors Mortgage Group, added that decorations can be hazardous during showings.
“Excessive decorations run the risk of hazards. You don’t want buyers tripping over wires or having to dodge massive inflatables in your front lawn,” said Carlucci.
There is also a debate over how one should scent their home during the holiday season if a property is listed on the market.
“Candles and whatnot are tempting but everyone has their own preference of smell so keep it as neutral as possible to attract every possible buyer,” explained Carlucci.
Jenson suggests sticking to the tried and true techniques used by realtors when it comes to scent.
“When people come for showings, go back to the basics and bake an apple pie or cookies right before they come,” said Jenson. “It is a great way to make the house smell good and activate the senses.”
One way sellers can make their homes stand out is by making a “nice” list.
Deric Zaphire suggests a rule that sellers may want to follow year-round but could be especially helpful to save time during the busy holiday season.
“Have a list of all the changes you have done to the house over the last five years because it only works as a selling point. It reminds buyers that this room, this bathroom, and this renovation is all new which will only make things more appealing and it saves time for both sides,” he said.
However, Dean Kelker, senior vice president at Single Source Property Solutions emphasizes that the most important aspect of getting a home sold during the chaotic holiday season is competitively pricing a house. Otherwise, the home will sit on the market and ultimately need a price reduction.
“Take a look in your area and see what the typical home is selling for. If you see $400K to $450K is the average, then start around there. You can refer to your agent for guidance, of course, but as a seller, you should know what is going on in your own market,” said Kelker.
Do buyers have an advantage this time of year?
Many real estate industry professionals say that there are no financial breaks buyers should expect during the 2024 holiday season.
“Things may slow down during the holiday season but properties are still being sold,” explained Jules Zaphire.
Deric Zaphire added that inventory is still low compared to demand. Jensen agreed, saying that once homes sit on the market for a while, sellers may be more flexible in their expectations, but he wouldn’t expect any price breaks.
