Smart Sellers Stay Listed Over Holidays... or List

Rick, we really want to take our home off the market for the holidays for the obvious reasons. What do you recommend?

Don't do it! Tow the line and stay listed. Here are 11 solid reasons why you should remain on market or even list a new home when the season is upon us.

Holiday lights lead buyers to finding your Home for Sale.

1. Only serious buyers look for homes over the holidays. Just like only serious sellers are on market over the holidays, right?! Now, put your feet in a buyer's shoes- there is obviously a fairly urgent need to find a house if they are sacrificing holiday shopping and family time to view homes. You wasted some time showing your home to casual lookers; now let the serious buyers in!

2. You haven't had many showings? More reason NOT to go off market. Waiting for agents to show your home and not getting many appointments is very stressful. Now you can draw in those really serious buyers who need to be looking for a home rather than enjoying the holidays. (Maybe a slight price adjustment at this time is the icing on the Christmas cookie?)

3. Your Listing Agent can adjust your showing  preferences to accommodate your holiday schedule. That's easy to do. Work with him/her to put special showing instructions in your MLS listing. "No Show" dates, hours that work and don't work, blocks of time that you can or can't have showings. Let them know what works for you as the seller, because real buyers really need to know!

4. Listing inventory NOW is lower than other seasons. Why? Because sellers who did not get or follow good advice like this pulled out of the market, giving buyers less of a choice thus increasing the "value" and attractiveness of your home.

5. Buyers have more free time to look. They are on vacation, have more flex time or time off from work, can visit the city they might want to live, or may be visiting family/friends and have fallen in love with an area.

6. The internet search is always on! And a great real estate team/agent is always ready to show a home to a motivated buyer! 42% of buyers find a home via the internet. 34% tap their agents. It's the holidays and buyers have even more time to search the internet (anywhere, anytime) & work with their buyer's agent to find the right house.

7. The Holidays are very emotional! We know a big portion of a buyer's decision is emotional so tap into that over the holidays. It may mean a buyer paying a higher price for a home they love.

8. The Holidays create an extra special look & ambiance. Holiday decorations increase curb appeal and again tug on the emotional side of house-shopping. Not only is your home highlighted but most likely your whole neighborhood is "glowing!"

9. Relocation does not stop over the holidays. Companies are transferring employees year round, business & life continue on, and there is a push to get things in place for the new year. So why would you stop showing your house?

10. If you sell now, you will be a non-contingent buyer later. Selling your home now frees you up to make an attractive offer on a purchase. Perhaps you can sell higher now and then buy lower, rather than the opposite, during the spring. Get ahead of the game...

11. Go PENDING and relax over the Holidays.  If you sell your home within the next month, you will most likely close in 45 days.  Plan to look for a home, buy and pack up after the first of the year.

Call me if you have any other insights or questions. We would love to help you list and/or buy a house during this wonderful season!

Rick Bennett
ID-BUY Real Estate with Keller Williams Realty Boise
208.407.0532
Your Best Boise Real Estate Team & Agents