Ahh, the holidays – the most wonderful time of year when you huddle around the TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, while grandpa forces stories of the good old days upon you and that distant cousin you haven’t seen in years, all while eating questionable potato salad. This is the season when lasting memories are made, but it can also usher in the frustrations of managing several different personalities under one roof. Add the tension of having your home on the market while hosting guests, and one could think you’ve lost all your marbles. Keep your sanity intact with these tips on how to balance enjoying time with family while getting your home sold.
Stay Organized:
If your home is already on the market, you’ve likely already mastered Marie Kondo’s method of tidying up and have your home completely decluttered keeping only things that “spark joy.” Don’t let the welcoming of extra guests and shopping for the perfect Turkey distract you from your ultimate goal – selling your house. Continue to keep items in your home to a minimum. If you happen to have an open house in the days leading up to Thanksgiving or even after, you want to make sure buyers are still walking into a place they can imagine calling their own. Your kitchen is where all the Thanksgiving magic happens, it’s also an easy deal-breaker for buyers whose opinions on a home hinge on how much counter space the house has.
If you haven’t already, inform your friends and family of your home being on the market and stress the importance of your home maintaining a certain appearance. This year, encourage them to NOT make themselves at home. Consider making the Thanksgiving dinner potluck style and ask family and friends to bring their favorite dish to cut down on completely dirtying your kitchen. If cooking isn’t an option for you and your guests, you may consider catering or finding an open restaurant to take the meal outside of the home.
By now, your leaves and a few of your neighbors' leaves have covered your lawn. Take a second glance around your home exterior and rake the lawn, clean pathways, and address any newly exposed damage or dirt on the home's exterior.
If you don’t find the proper balance between decorating to set the atmosphere and overdoing it to the point of being tacky, you could turn buyers off. Be conservative with your autumn decor. Some seasonal decorations are welcome, but too much can hide the features of the home you want to show off.
Your agent is skilled in navigating all types of variations in the market. While selling during the holiday season can be tricky, your agent will be able to help you manage the demands of listing during this festive time of year. Lean on their expertise and watch them work their holiday magic.
While some may avoid taking on the task of selling a home during the holidays, getting it done successfully is a possibility. Connect with one of more than 9,000 agents to help you navigate the challenges of today’s market. Ready to buy but not sure what you can afford? Check out the mortgage calculator to help estimate possible monthly payments. Download the REIN.com app and put the power of fresh and accurate listing data in the palm of your hand. The app is available free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. For local listings you can trust, start with REIN.com.
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