“GET REAL!” with Mildred Wong

Drama-Free Real Estate Advice

MYTH:  It is not a good time to sell my home during the holidays and Winter months.

FACT:  Seasonal trends no longer apply today with the Internet, smart phones, and tablets.  Buyers are ALWAYS looking for properties online.  The home market is no more affected during the holidays than during other “busy” periods of the year.

True, there are typically fewer homes for sale during this time, which means that as a seller, there is less competition for the homes that are on the market.  Since buyer activity slows down, I should take a break from the selling process too.  GET REAL!  The buyers who are looking are that much more serious, and are likely facing some sort of deadline.  They could be transferring to the area for work.  Or they may have finally sold a home that had been on the market and must get into a new home.  Or they may have been searching all year and are finally ready to put money down.  Whatever the motivation, there can be an increase in demand at a time when inventory is traditionally low.  Take advantage.  Make sure your home is accessible and welcoming.

Deck the halls!  Decorated homes show better as they lighten the mood and cozy up the interior, so make the most of this unique time by setting the perfect scene.  But don’t overdo it – decorations are an enhancement, not a distraction.  Make sure the tree does not dominate your living room, and the stockings do not hide your beautiful fireplace.  Enable buyers to linger in your home with seasonal scents.  Everybody loves the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!

And don’t forget curb appeal!  Keep your walkway and driveway safe and free of snow and ice.  Some tasteful decorations and faux poinsettias will keep the outside looking bright and cheerful, and a festive wreath is always inviting.  Have buyers feel like they are guests at a party.

I’m overwhelmed and stressed and can’t be bothered during the holidays, so I’ll wait until the Spring.  GET REAL!  Sell your home after New Year’s Day.  There is something about the new year that excites people.  It could be a New Year’s resolution to finally stop spending money on rentals and invest in property.  Make it YOUR resolution to get your home sold.  If your home has been on the market for a while, buyers and their agents will see it as stale or overpriced and disregard it.  Use this opportunity to re-evaluate your strategy.  Lower the price, or interview new agents.  You can benefit as you will have access to the best agents since most part-time agents take the Winter months off.  Motivated buyers will certainly notice.

Remember, buyers are always looking for properties, so don’t wait.  Get a head start on the rush of homes that typically hit the market in the Spring.  Winter is one of the BEST times for your home to take the spotlight!

CALL TO READERS:  In the process of buying or selling and have questions?  Call or email and your topic could be the next discussion.  Mildred Wong is a Licensed Real Estate Agent at City Central Realty, LLC.  She can be reached at 617-236-2020 or mildred@citycentralre.com.  Follow her on Twitter: @GetRealwMildred.