Is it a bad idea to sell your home during the holidays?
It’s actually a great time to sell because of the additional exposure your home will get. Lots of people will be visiting relatives and friends during the holiday season and your home may just catch their eye. What can you do to make that first great impression?
1. Keep holiday decorations light. A simple wreath on your door and candles in the windows will create an inviting look. Avoid big, blow-up decorations on your lawn and an overabundance of strung lights. Less is better.
2. Make sure the exterior of your house looks well kept. Shrubbery and lawn should be neatly manicured. Take a look at your house’s paint color. If it’s faded or chipped, it’s time to get it painted. Does the hardware on your front door look old and tarnished? Replace it. Make your home pop by painting the front door a color which complements the house color. Use a satin or semi-gloss finish for some shine. Are your windows clean and rain gutters free of clutter and debris? Does your driveway need to be power washed and resealed? Is your roof in good condition?
3. Once inside your home, paint color is the first thing that home buyers notice. Is your interior paint color universally appealing? Generally, more neutral colors are appealing to most people instead of bold, trendy colors. Your paint color serves as the backdrop for everything else.
4. Keep things light and bright. Remove heavy, outdated window treatments and let the light shine inside. If privacy is a concern, use panel drapery that can be pulled back during the day. Ensure you have enough artificial lighting inside, too, so your rooms don’t look dark.
5. Clean and declutter your home. Keep holiday decorations to a minimum and out of the traffic flow of your rooms. If you have a large Christmas tree, think about getting a skinnier one that doesn’t overwhelm the room.
6. Make sure your home isn’t outdated. Replace that harvest gold refrigerator from the 70’s. Make sure the floor coverings, furnishings, appliances, and color scheme reflect a look your ideal buyer would like.
7. Have your home professionally staged so it attracts buyers online. According to Active Rain, a real estate blog and marketing site, 94% of buyers find their home online before even contacting a real estate agent. Your online photos must look attractive to entice a prospective home buyer to take the next step.
8. Have a home inspection done before placing your home on the real estate market so you can address any major structural, electrical, or plumbing problems.
9. Employ a reliable real estate agent who will have your interest in mind. You want someone who will price your home competitively for your neighborhood; market it both online and offline; negotiate your asking price well, if necessary; and provide you with feedback after each showing.
Selling your home during the holidays can be a successful experience like any other time of year if you follow our suggestions.
Interiors Revitalized is a full-service home staging, model home merchandising, and interior design firm located in Jacksonville Florida. In addition to Jacksonville, we serve the St. Johns, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Fernandina Beach areas. Contact us today at 904.625.2214 to discuss your home staging or interior design project. We’ll make that first offer your best offer!
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