Top 5 reasons to leave your home on the market during the holidays
Now that we have seen our first glimpse of snow and we’re pulling out the coats from the back of the closet, it’s time to turn our thoughts to hibernating season… better known as winter.
With this inevitable change of the seasons the biggest question REALTORS get from sellers is;
“Should we take our home off the market for the holidays?”
I understand that no one wants to be disturbed during their Thanksgiving dinner or their Holiday celebrations. No one wants to get a call that a buyer wants to see their home while they’re decorating the Christmas tree or wrapping presents. BUT, there are a lot of positive reasons to keep your house on the market without interruption for the next few months. Especially this year with the way the Topeka Real Estate Market is going.
Here are our top 5 reasons for leaving your home on the market during the holidays, and aggressively marketing your home during this period.
#5 Holiday buyers are typically serious buyers
Everyone wants to enjoy the holidays. That’s why potential buyers who are out looking for homes during November, December and January are SERIOUS buyers. These buyers aren’t just out looking at house to get decorating ideas or to pass the time, they have a need for a new home and will interrupt their busy holiday schedules to look at the homes that appeal most to them. So, why would you pull your house off the market when a serious buyer may appear on the horizon?
#4 Homes show better during the holidays
Most people beautifully decorate their homes for the holidays, fires are going in the fireplace, seasonal music is on the stereo, and even bad landscaping doesn’t show when its all covered with snow. A potential buyer will see your home decorated and be able to visualize how their family could have their next holiday event in your home.
#3 January is the month for transfers
Traditionally, January is the month for corporations to hire new employees for new jobs. Since most tranferees cannot wait until spring to buy a new home, they must sell their home now, and buy during the holidays.
#2 Less competition
Many sellers pull their homes off the market during the holidays leaving less competition on the market. So, make your house shine and this could be your time.
…..and our Number 1 reason to leave your home on the market during the holidays is…
#1 Your home definitely won’t sell if it’s not on the market.
People who have sold their homes to first-time buyers prior to the December 1st cut-off for the $8,000 tax credit may still be out there looking for a home. This tax credit has made a difference and is starting to filter up the price ladder. Now that the tax credit has been extend to April 30th, 2010 and has been opened up to move-up buyers and not just first time home buyers, we are sure the buyers will be more active over the next few months.
So, our advice is to keep your house on the market, have it priced right and looking like a shiny new bike and your Christmas present this year could be a big SOLD sign stuck in the snow in your front yard.
