Preparing to sell your house during the holidays

COMMENTARY /// Residential real estate

Deborah Kernahan

Deborah Kernahan

As a seller, together with your agent, you always want to create the best launch for your home and presentation into the marketplace. Should you be selling your home over the holidays, you should consider a number of things in making your move:

Preparing your home properly, pricing it right and creating a proper marketing plan will attract prospective buyers.

You may have an advantage during the holidays as inventories tend to be lower at the end of the year. With fewer homes on the market, you may have less competition.

In addition, while there are typically fewer buyers in the marketplace, they tend to be serious buyers and possibly more motivated due to time constraints related to job transfers or other events in their lives.

As a seller, you may want to consider being a little more accommodating. Allowing a prospective buyer time to sell their home before closing on the new purchase or offering incentives may work in everyone’s favor.

Adding a good, neutral, quality carpet as well as applying fresh paint or installing up-to-date hardwood flooring may also add extra dollars to the bottom line.

During the holidays, vendors may have a lighter schedule, and contractors, painters and even movers may be more available and flexible and perhaps even less expensive than in peak season.

Homes often look beautiful with the holiday lights, a decorated fireplace and the smell of cinnamon cookies coming from a warm oven. Creating a sense of family may be exactly what your home warrants to encourage the right buyer to make an exciting transition.

On a final note, regardless of the season, preparing your residence to be truly “turnkey” means having the right repairs and up-to-date touches completed. It’s never too early to plan and prepare for the best first impression your home can make.

For more information, call Kernahan and Associates Compass at (818) 519-8357 or stop by the office at 26565 Agoura Road, second floor, Calabasas.