Saline, Ann Arbor Homeowners Should You Take Your Home off the Market during the Holidays?
One of the questions I have been asked several times during the last few weeks is, “Missy,should we take our home off the market during the holidays?”
Here is my answer. No, the buyers that are out looking now are serious buyers. No one tromps around in the snow and cold to “shop”, they need to buy. If you home is not on the market then it is one home the serious buyers will not have an opportunity to see.
Decorate Less
If you are a home sellers and are selling your Saline or Ann Arbor home during the holidays, cut back some on your decorating. A home tastefully decorated creates a warm, homey feeling. A house over decorated is a distraction to the buyers. Too many decorations can detract from the buyer getting a good look at the house. You are selling your home, not the decor.
Hold off on Showings if you have company
Many of us have families and friends that visit during the holidays. If you have company just hold off on any showings for a few days. Work with your agent if you need a few days to not show the home; but don’t take it off the market and start over.
When we market your home it is syndicated to a multitude of web sites for the maximum exposure. If you take it off the market and re-list after the holiday, you are starting from scratch getting your home indexed and found again.
“Winter buyers and holiday buyers are serious buyers”
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December 7th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Great advice Missy!
It only makes sense to continue marketing your home thru the holidays. Less competition (unless everyone reads this post) and when relocations happen in January you are up and running.
John Schroeder’s last blog post..Madison, WI area Open Houses for Sunday December 7th 2008
December 7th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Great post – this is always a question that comes up – especially with the hectic time of parties and tracking snow etc. Glad to hear your thoughts on it.
December 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
John, I agree and many people moving back take the time to look at real estate when they are home with their families.
December 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Hi Cathy, I was getting asked so much that I decide to post on it.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Thanks for reminding us of this. The same applies to sellers on the west coast, especially now. My hubby just arrived in AA tonight for a week.
Marian Bennett’s last blog post..New Media for savvy real estate buyers and sellers
December 8th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Missy, great post. This is a question that most homeowners are asking right now. And, yes… the buyers are fewer, but the ones that are out there, are ready and willing to buy.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Great article. Please don’t take it off the market. I’m getting an offer today. YAAAAA!!!!!!!
Stella
December 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I enjoyed your post and definitely agree that when selling a home during the holidays, it’s best to “decorate less”. If you would like to contribute to our thoughts on selling during the holidays, click http://blog.residentialproperties.com/?p=79.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Missy, I wish I had been able to convince my one seller to keep his home on the market during the holidays – sure, those of us in the office know it’s still for sale but the owner wants it off the MLS until spring. The only chance we have of selling it right now is if the perfect buyer just happens to fall into our lap and someone at the office remembers this house.
Karen Rice’s last blog post..Selling Your Home & HGTV: Tuesday Tip
December 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Karen, I have one seller like that, as I said in the post the buyers looking now are serious. I got 2 offers in December!!