How to Sell a House During the Holidays: 6 Tips for Real Estate Agents

It can be challenging to be a real estate agent this time of year. But coming up with effective strategies for selling a home during the holidays doesn’t have to be time-consuming! At Bay National Title, we work closely with industry professionals each day and do our best to make the whole process as smooth, productive, and efficient as possible.

Selling a House During the Holidays

Here are six tips for real estate agents for selling a home during the holidays:

1. Create a Festive Atmosphere (but not TOO festive…)

Holiday decorations can be a lovely addition to motivate buyers, but it important to not go way overboard. This can make the staging seem desperate and be a real turn-off for buyers. A nice wreath on the front door, a few splashes of color (on the mantle, dining room table, or in a kid’s bedroom) and maybe some tasteful garland on stair or deck railings will do.

A festive atmosphere promotes positivity and thoughts of making their own holiday memories. Have fun but keep it simple!

2. Stage the Home to be Warm and Cozy

Potential home buyers will connect more with a home if it makes them feel good. If there is a fireplace –light a fire in the hearth. Prepare or bring some tasty pastries or cookies. Have a pitcher of warm apple cider or offer hot chocolate. (It’s a bonus to have the lovely aromas around). Work your magic with the lighting too. All of these can bring added value as they take a tour of their possible new home. Our senses are very powerful forces when deciding all types of purchases — including homes.

3. Prioritize Curb Appeal

Another helpful tip for selling a home during the holidays is to remember to showcase the curb appeal. After the main growing season is over, fall and winter can leave a home’s exterior lacking panache. Consider adding a pretty, hardy evergreen in a nice container on the front porch or at the bottom of the steps. Make sure leaves, twigs, and other yard debris are dealt with quickly (particularly just prior to showings). How does the mailbox look? Are stepping stones level and sidewalks weeded appropriately?

Prioritize curb appeal during the holidays and you’ll have potential homebuyers smiling from the moment they step out of the car.

4. Be Smart With Pricing

Don’t be overly ambitious with your pricing. Buyers around the holidays are not interested in having to perform a lot of negotiations. Research the market really well prior to setting a price. Buyers are also interested in tax breaks if they buy before the end of the year, so if you are smart about pricing it is easier to sell to motivated buyers that are on a deadline.

5. Create a Home Tour to Share on Social Media

Ready for your spotlight? Ramp up the visibility of the home by making a video tour that can be easily shareable on social media accounts. Consumers of all types, including homebuyers, appreciate being able to save time by doing research online.

Make sure to stage the decorations, light the fireplace, etc., beforehand to maximize the impact and take advantage of the emotions of the season. Pay close attention to lighting and perform a quick run through each room to make sure the video doesn’t turn out dark and shadowy.

6. Update Your Real Estate Photos

Take some time to update the photos of the home for the holiday season. Is there a maple tree with beautiful leaves changing colors in the front yard? Is the dining room cheerful with red tapered candles and a nice centerpiece? High quality, impactful photos that elicit emotions can really fill up your appointment book — driving your chances up for a sale during the holiday season.

Don’t be a Grinch and let the challenges of selling a home during the holidays get you down. The above tips have the ability to really stimulate sales and get families the keys to their dream home in the New Year. With the right strategies, you can increase leads, close deals, and stay busy through the holidays.

Other real estate tips:

7 Common Home Selling Mistakes New Agents Face

Surviving After the Facebook News Feed Change: A Guide for Real Estate Pros

Buyer or Seller: Who Pays for Closing Costs?

7 Steps for Closing a Real Estate Deal the Right Way