Are the Holidays a Good Time to Sell?

According to a survey performed by Realtor.com the holiday season is the perfect time to buy. Think about it, less people may be looking for a home during the season but this leaves only the serious buyers and less competition on properties. 

On Realtor.com's "Holiday Home Selling Survey" there were 429 real estate professionals whom participated online between October 26, 2011 and November 8, 2011 with the holiday season being considered from November 23rd to January 2nd.


Among the 429 real estate professionals who participated: 

• 60% agreed the holiday season is a "good time to sell"
• 30% suggest the holiday season as a good time to sell to only their motivated sellers
• Only 1% were found to never advise their clients to sell around the holidays

So, what exactly are the biggest benefits to selling around the holidays?

• 79% agreed buyers are more serious about their purchase 
• 61% stated they felt having less competition is huge 
• 17% said with cold weather homes tend to appear a bit more "cozy" which gives the home an advantage 

What are the disadvantages to selling around the holidays? 

• 39% state winter weather as a challenge
• 39% state scheduling around vacations and holiday celebrations 
• 63% stated the biggest challenge is keeping a home looking presentable or "open house ready" throughout this busy time of the year. 

There is strategy to listing in the winter season opposed to those with warmer, more comfortable weather. Over 8 out of 10 participants stated online photos to be a crucial part. Due to busy schedules buyers are less likely to attend an open house and sellers are less likely to hold as many as they probably would in the warmer months. 

What will help to sell during the holiday season?

• 74% feel pricing a home to sell is the most crucial part of selling 
• 40% said staging is key
• Almost a third feel being flexible with move in dates, closing costs and other contract details is important

While there were differing opinions on holiday decor and if it should be put up or left down while the home is on the market:

• 37% feel nonreligious holiday decor should be displayed to give the home a more inviting feeling 
• 28% said all decorations should be up regardless of religious or nonreligious decor. 
• 27% say non suggestive seasonal decor is ok
• 8% feel no decor at all should be up

To light the fireplace or not to light the fireplace:

• 80% of participants suggest the fireplace be lit to stage a sellers home. This gives a very cozy and "at home" feeling for the potential buyer
• 62% also suggest updated outdoor lighting due to shorter days in the winter buyers are most likely to see the home in the evenings

To read the full article click here.