Town Meeting Is Over...Now Back To My Real Job

Now that the Hamilton Special Town Meeting is over, my wife has advised me that I need to spend more of my newly freed up time concentrating on advising my readers about real estate issues. That is, after all, what I do for a living as a Realtor...as opposed to what I do as a volunteer.

So a tip of the hat to all who worked so hard on the many articles and motions, some passed and some not, at our recent Saturday Town Meeting. I promise to pick the discussion up again as we get closer to next spring's annual Town Meeting.

But right now, let's talk real estate. And let's begin with the topic:

SHOULD I TAKE MY HOUSE OFF THE MARKET DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. The list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?

Wrong!

Most smart Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Holiday season is a mistake. The house isn't going to sell while it's off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy... let me do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let me take care of showing and selling your home.

The holidays are actually a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.

So before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:

1. Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. The home market is no more affected at Thanksgiviing or Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.


2. Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.


3. Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.


4. During the holidays, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created. When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.


5. With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if you marketed your home during a busier time of the year.

Here's a testimonial from one of my clients regarding selling during the holiday season:

"Jay - The article in your newsletter caught my eye: Should I Take My House Off The Market During The Holidays. How well I remember our buyers coming to our door the first week of January 2004, temperature at 4 degrees, smoke coming off the ocean waves, when the doorbell rang and the couple said they wanted to buy our oceanfront home! You had set the stage with an earlier listing and showing. We're enjoying sunshine and palm trees because we did not take our home off the market during the holidays! Warmest regards - Jerry and Mary Anne Greely"

Thinking of selling in the next few months? Give me a call and we can schedule a confidential meeting without obligation to discuss the benefits of my services and Coldwell Banker's marketing and worldwide reach. Thank you!