Staging Your Home During the Holidays

     Use the holiday spirit to sell a home at the end of the year
     While the real estate market typically slows towards the end of the year, there are still benefits to selling a home during the holiday season. In an average economy, there are usually fewer homes on the market during the months of November and December and a property will have much greater potential for exposure during its important first thirty days on the market. In addition, there may be an influx of potential buyers, as many job transferees may need to get settled by the start of the upcoming new year. To help those hoping to sell their homes during the holiday season, use the following tips:
      Increase curb appeal. First impressions are critical. If the home is in a snowy area, clear the walkways and driveway. Remove any late fall leaves and ensure the path to the stairs is free from ice or snow. Put up a few exterior holiday lights and decorations to display seasonal tidings and pride in ownership. Keep lighting tasteful and consistent with the rest of the neighborhood. A holiday welcome mat outside the front door is also a nice touch.
     Keep the house warm and welcoming. December and January tend to be very cold, so keep the home warm and cozy. If the house has a fireplace, light it to bring the room to life and enhance the ambience. Bake holiday cookies and treats to give the home an enticing aroma.
     Decorate the interior. Do not overwhelm potential home buyers with dramatic displays of holiday cheer; be conservative with holiday decorations. Accentuate the home, do not hide it.
      Remove the lock box. On a practical note, sellers who entertain a lot over the holidays should talk to their real estate agent about removing the lock box. The multiple listing information needs to be changed to let agents know there is a temporary showing procedure, requiring buyers' agents to call the seller to make an appointment. It is best if the house is not shown when entertaining family and friends. Let each sales associate showing the property know the lock box will be on the front porch at the designated time