Do you want to sell your house in Omaha but feel reluctant because the holidays complicate things a bit? We can help you with a few good tips for selling your home during the holidays!
The holidays can actually be an okay time to sell. With fewer homes on the market, your house will be more likely to stand out to potential buyers. People moving during this season usually have a good reason why they need to move in December or early January. You may find buyers who are ready to purchase ASAP and want to get into their new residence just as soon as they can! This post will help you use this time of year to your advantage. Read on to learn more!
Warm, Inviting & Comfortable
No matter who you are or where you live, people love to feel a cozy vibe when walking in the door of a home. During your showings or open houses, and even for the photography do for marketing purposes, if you have a fireplace, be sure to light it! In warmer climates, you can even use your electric fireplace, with the heat setting turned off.
Seasonal scents can also help create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. A soft gingerbread, pine, or cinnamon fragrance can make people feel relaxed and right at home … just be sure it’s not too strong or overpowering.
Hire a Professional
If funds allow, you might consider hiring a professional to decorate your house for the holidays. Look for a home stager or interior designer who can help you turn your house into something truly special and memorable to potential buyers. A professional will have an important impartial eye and can help you rein it in … so the holiday decor isn’t overwhelming or too over the top!
Keep in mind that working with a designer will probably require you to purchase the new decor outright. However, there are staging companies that can bring chic pieces for you to use temporarily; the items are then simply returned after the showing or sale of your home.
Keep the Clutter at Bay
We can’t stress this enough … even the most beautiful holiday decorations can appear cluttered if not used sparingly. And remember to think about the appearance of your Christmas tree. Many of us have mismatched boxes of ornaments collected over time; they are full of amazing meaning and memories for sure. But if Rudolph is missing his nose, he should definitely stay in his box this year!
In addition, personalized items can make prospective buyers feel a little as if they are intruding on someone else’s home. When you’re showing the house, it’s best to tuck the stockings with names away, for example. Of course, you can put them back out the minute your guests have left! But it’s better if you can help the potential buyers think of it less as your house and more like theirs! This is easy to do if personal family names aren’t appearing everywhere.
Don’t Forget Curb Appeal
As you know, the front yard is the first thing people will see when driving up to view your house. As we mentioned above, including simple and tasteful holiday decorations can be a huge factor in making people feel welcome. Don’t go overboard, but a few items can help foster the warm and inviting environment you wish to create.
Outdoor lighting can also be a wonderful addition to evening showings. Keep pace with your neighbors. You don’t need to light up the whole neighborhood, however, you don’t want to be the only dark house on the street either.
One thing you might want to do if your trees are tall or your roofline is steep (and you want to avoid getting on a ladder!) is to hire a lighting company to help with festive outdoor lights. Potential home buyers will often drive by homes they’re interested in at night time, to get a feel for the street and the neighborhood. So having a tastefully decorated outdoor space could also help them feel drawn to your home and envision themselves decorating the front yard for themselves next year!
Seek Out the Right People
Think about who might be moving during the holiday season. Families may be moving during the Christmas break. Students and staff might choose year-end to relocate. Business people might be relocating during a quiet time for their work. Investors might be looking to purchase before the end of the calendar year. Think about your marketing and advertising and ensure your home is advertised where it can reach your target demographics.
We encourage you to stay optimistic and even explore some “out of the box” techniques to find your ideal buyer! We’re a professional home buyer, and we are always interested in purchasing a home “as-is” so we can do a little updating and bring value to the property. Just remember, if you don’t find a buyer during the holidays… breathe deep and relax. January is just a few days away.