Blog
7 Reasons to Sell Your House During the Holidays
Dec 1, 2014
The holiday season can be a busy, stressful time for many people. The thought of selling your home during the “most wonderful time of the year” can be daunting. However, there are a lot of great reasons for putting your house on the market during the holidays.
- Homebuyers are generally happy during the holidays! Happy homebuyers are typically attracted to homes that aredecorated and inviting. Potential buyers can become emotionally attached to your home if it invokes a sense of family, warmth, and holiday spirit. However, too many holiday decorations can be a huge turnoff. If your neighborhood is brightly lit and decorated with garland and wreaths, you may not need much to spruce up your home for the holidays.
- There are less homes on the market – and less competition. Many sellers wait until spring or summer to put their home on the market. Get a jump on the competition and list your home for sale while inventory is low. Homebuyers will appreciate a home that is competitively priced and in great showing condition. Your home may generate a lot of interest and even multiple offers, which can mean a higher sales price and better terms.
- Attract more serious homebuyers during the holidays. Many serious homebuyers search for homes during the holiday season. Some buyers anticipate holiday bonuses that will help with a downpayment, others may be relocating to the Hilton Head area at the start of the New Year for a new job opportunity. Whatever the reason, these buyers are motivated! Expect only serious buyers and strong offers during the holiday season.
- There are added tax benefits for homebuyers. While tax benefits are not the only reason to buy a new home, some homebuyers might be looking to buy before the end of the year for an added tax benefit. Ask an accountant about deducting expenses like mortgage interest, points, and property taxes.
- Homebuyers have more time off to look at homes for sale. Homebuyers often have more time off during the holidays, giving them more time to look around, check out all of the wonderful Hilton Head Island and Bluffton communities, and find the right home.
- If you sell your home during the holidays, you will be a non-contingent buyer when it comes time to buy your next home. Few things lessen a homebuyer’s bargaining power more than being a contingent buyer; this means that you must sell your current home in order to buy your next home. Many sellers won’t even consider a contingent contract from a buyer because there’s often too much risk involved. If you sell your home during the holidays, know how much money you have to invest in your next home, and purchase your next house with a strong, non-contingent offer.
- You can still hold the keys — and the deed — until after Christmas. Some sellers worry that if they sell their home during the holidays, they may end up having to move the day after Christmas. Remember, you hold the keys and the deed, and if you don’t like the terms of the agreement, you don’t have to sell your home. However, if you receive a great offer, you might want to consider meeting all of the buyer’s timeline requests. Bring this up to your real estate agent before finalizing any agreement.
For more information about selling your home in Hilton Head, please contact our knowledgeable Realtors at Hilton Head Island Real Estate Brokers, Inc. We can help you every step of the way, and guide you through what can be a very stressful – yet exciting – holiday selling experience. Have a wonderful holiday season!
