Selling during the holiday season is considered a bad time to put your home on the market, but you don’t always get to choose when it’s time to put a for-sale sign on your lawn. For example, relocating to a new job in the new year often means selling in the months leading up to the holidays.

Regardless of why you need to sell at the end of the year, there are ways to ensure that you take full advantage of the merry season and have the most lucrative selling experience.

Don’t Overdue the Décor

It may be tempting to deck your home out in seasonal décor, but you want to do it in a subtle and inviting way. Having too much can be a distraction from what your home has to offer beyond the decorations.

It’s also worth noting that while you may celebrate one holiday, others may not, and religious themes may turn off potential buyers if your décor is dedicated to one specific religion.

For example, using winter garland and flowers instead of a Nativity scene is a great way to ensure a more inclusive yet decorated appeal. You’ll also want to keep lights and decorations neutral, so instead of Christmas-coloured lights, try warm whites instead. It’s all about creating a homey ambience people will love.

Prioritize Curb Appeal

Your home is more exposed in the winter because there’s no brush, tree leaves, or garden to utilize to distract buyers from potential flaws. So, to ensure a good first impression, you’ll have to prioritize the area.

That means touching up any areas where paint may be fading or peeling, cleaning the gutters, porch, walkways, and lawn, and ensuring that all debris that could make it look unkempt is out of sight.

Adding some ambient lighting and seasonal décor, such as warm white string lights or a small, decorated tree, can also help to increase curb appeal.

Take Advantage of the Season

The holiday season is cold, gray, and typically uninviting. When staging, you want to take advantage of that by bringing potential buyers out of the cold and into a warm and cozy environment.

You can do this by turning up the heat, playing soft music, and offering homemade holiday treats like sugar cookies. When they walk in, they will feel like they have just stepped into a place they don’t want to leave.

The welcoming environment will encourage buyers to spend more time in your home. The more they look around, the more they’ll be able to admire what they love about the space. Ensure your home is clear of clutter and depersonalized but also neutral and festive enough to feel like a home during the holidays.

Whether you’re selling out of necessity or just want to start the new year in a new home, putting your house on the market during the holidays can be a great experience if you know how to do it right and you work with a REALTOR®️ who knows how to make the best of this time of year for potential buyers.