There are many advantages to keeping your home on the market during the holidays, the most obvious is the fact that the only chance you actually have of selling your house is if it is on the market. The common practice is to list your house in the Spring to take advantage of the strong Spring market, but because everyone does that, you are competing with a lot of other homes. When I sold my last house, I had taken beautiful Spring and Fall photos, but waited until January to put it on the market. There were not a lot of homes in my price point, prospective buyers got to see how gorgeous the garden looked in the brochure, and I sold quickly. End of the year buyers often have an urgency that results in less time negotiating So, how do you deal with keeping your home show ready during the Holiday Season? I asked Jan Girouard from All About ReDecorating to give us some tips to help sellers use the season to their advantage. Jan is a great decorator and stager based in Newport. With so much uncertainty in the market today, buyers need to feel good about the home they buy. Staging is a great way to create an emotionally appealing home that potential buyers can picture themselves in. When a buyer walks into a home and says, "Wow, this is a great home", they aren't thinking about unemployment, or the economy, they are connecting with the house on an emotional level, and you on your way to a signed contract. First we start with curb appeal. Jan and I liken it to a Blind date; this is the first impression that sets the tone for the entire viewing. When decorating the outside keep it simple and elegant, you want people to notice your house, not the 8 foot Inflatable Rudolf. Since homebuying is often based on pure emotions, you can use seasonal enhancements that create a warm inviting atmosphere yet still keep everything buyer friendly. Make sure your tree is not too big for the room and don't put it in the window and block the beautiful view and the natural light. Neutral holiday decorations done simply such as greenery, wreaths, and lights can all help add a holiday touch without alienating buyers, while still showcasing the true features of the home. This Week's Real Estate Insight: Compare a $2,000 investment in staging to the $20,000 you may have to end up dropping your asking price. Staging costs far less than your first price reduction, and if it pays off in the form of a quick sale, isn't it priceless?Setting the Stage for Holiday Home Sales
- By Michael McCann
- Posted
There are many advantages to keeping your home on the market during the holidays, the most obvious is the fact that the only chance you actually have of selling your house is if it is on the market. The common practice is to list your house in the Spring to take advantage of the strong Spring market, but because everyone does that, you are competing with a lot of other homes. When I sold my last house, I had taken beautiful Spring and Fall photos, but waited until January to put it on the market. There were not a lot of homes in my price point, prospective buyers got to see how gorgeous the garden looked in the brochure, and I sold quickly. End of the year buyers often have an urgency that results in less time negotiating So, how do you deal with keeping your home show ready during the Holiday Season? I asked Jan Girouard from All About ReDecorating to give us some tips to help sellers use the season to their advantage. Jan is a great decorator and stager based in Newport. With so much uncertainty in the market today, buyers need to feel good about the home they buy. Staging is a great way to create an emotionally appealing home that potential buyers can picture themselves in. When a buyer walks into a home and says, "Wow, this is a great home", they aren't thinking about unemployment, or the economy, they are connecting with the house on an emotional level, and you on your way to a signed contract. First we start with curb appeal. Jan and I liken it to a Blind date; this is the first impression that sets the tone for the entire viewing. When decorating the outside keep it simple and elegant, you want people to notice your house, not the 8 foot Inflatable Rudolf. Since homebuying is often based on pure emotions, you can use seasonal enhancements that create a warm inviting atmosphere yet still keep everything buyer friendly. Make sure your tree is not too big for the room and don't put it in the window and block the beautiful view and the natural light. Neutral holiday decorations done simply such as greenery, wreaths, and lights can all help add a holiday touch without alienating buyers, while still showcasing the true features of the home. This Week's Real Estate Insight: Compare a $2,000 investment in staging to the $20,000 you may have to end up dropping your asking price. Staging costs far less than your first price reduction, and if it pays off in the form of a quick sale, isn't it priceless?
