Trying to sell your property in the lead up to the festive holidays and New Year isn’t the wild idea it might seem. Over the years, I’ve seen owners secure great prices thanks to a well-executed marketing plan.
There are three significant advantages to selling your home over the holiday season.
At the top of my list is the fact there are fewer properties on the market at this time of year. That means there’s less pressure on you to negotiate down from your asking price.
With supply diminished due to seasonal factors, you’ll have less competition in the market. It will be easier to find buyers with a genuine interest in your home.
Thirdly, only serious players are in the buyers’ circle at this time of year. Those who are “just looking” have disappeared, and so you won’t waste your time preparing for their private viewings.
Serious buyers also tend to want to strike a quick deal. With the festive holidays hanging over everyone, many want to make a new start in the New Year – and that’s great news for you. It means you can hold steady on price and have your home on the market for only a limited time.
A successful marketing campaign for your home at this time of year requires significant planning and preparation so I’ve pulled a list of critical issues:
- Do your research and be confident of the price trends for your area over the festive season. As your agent, I can share data about the market at this time of year to help guide you.
- Don’t focus on the potential of having to discount. The reduced supply of homes in the market bolsters your negotiating position because there are fewer options for buyers.
- Do pitch your property at a fair price. This will attract buyers quickly.
- Don’t have your home photographed with the festive decorations already up. If your campaign stretches into the New Year, we’ll have to redo the photos.
- Do have a stylish festive tree for the buyer viewings. It will help embrace the spirit of generosity.
- Don’t overdo it. Tinsel and cheesy ornaments serve only to clutter the home and make it feel small.
- Do take all buyers seriously at this time of year. The market slows down as we approach the holidays, and that leaves only serious players in the market.
- Don’t believe all these positive factors mean you don’t have to prepare your home carefully. You do.
- Do be ready for a quick deal. Buyers are motivated because many want to move into a home as soon as possible after the New Year. This helps them handle domestic challenges such as children starting school in a new semester.
- Don’t get impatient when you find that lenders, banks, mortgage brokers and lawyers are all working on reduced hours over the holidays. The deal will get done, so there’s no need to worry needlessly.