The holiday season is upon us and you realize that your current home doesn't meet your needs anymore or you have job opportunity you can't let pass, so you decide to sell your house.
But before you take the first step let's talk about the elephant in the room, the Kissimmee holiday housing market. Most people believe that selling during this time is the worst idea...ever. That is better to sell a home during the spring or summer months. But if you wait for the peak time you will have more competition which means that you may not be able to negotiate as much with buyers because, well they can go to the next house and get a better deal. On the other hand winter buyers are serious buyers and depending on your reasons for selling, you should consider putting it on the market during the holidays.
Pro Tip: Hire a local real estate agent to hand the sale.
Now, let's talk about
- What to Expect When Selling Your Home During the Fall/Winter Market?
- Pros & Cons of Selling Your Home During the Holiday Season
- Home Selling Tips for the Holiday Season
- Negotiating An Offer in Fall & Winter
- The Closing Timeframe During the Holiday Season
- Moving During the Holiday Season
What to Expect When Selling Your Home During the Fall/ Winter Market?
Fall and Winter may not be the traditional time to list a home, but it can be a great time to sell.
Fewer homes are on the market this time of year, so your house will stand out more to potential buyers.
People looking to buy during Fall and Winter are serious about buying a home.
If you're thing to sell your Kissimmee home this Fall or Winter, do it.
There are many reasons to put your property on the market this time of year!
But like anything, you have pros and cons, and here they are.
Pros & Cons of Selling Your Home During the Holiday Season
Winter and Fall may not be the most popular seasons to put your home on the market. But that doesn't mean it's the wrong time to sell.
Here are the pros & cons of selling your property in the Fall or Winter months.
Pros
1. Less Competition: Fewer houses are typically listed during the holiday season, meaning less competition. Your home may stand out more to potential homebuyers.
2. Motivated Buyers: Those who house hunt during the holidays are often highly motivated to move quickly. This could lead to a quicker sale.
3. Home Staging: The holiday season gives you a unique opportunity to stage your home in a cozy, inviting way that can appeal to buyers' emotions.
4. Relocation Buyers: January is a popular month for job starts, which means there could be relocating buyers looking for a home in December.
5. Online House Hunting: With the advent of technology, more buyers are house hunting online, which is not limited by seasons or weather.
6. Community Curb Appeal: The neighborhood looks better. Homeowners polish their homes to receive family and guests. So homebuyers get to see your community at its best, which could seal the deal.
Cons
1. Limited Buyer Pool: While those shopping during the holidays are likely serious, there are simply fewer buyers during this time of year (But you only need one). So you may have to wait a little longer to get an offer.
2. Busy Schedules: The holiday season is a busy time of year for many people, which can make scheduling viewings and open houses more challenging.
3. Fast Closing: Buyers may want to close quickly before the end of the year for tax purposes, which could rush the process.
4. Unforeseen Delays: Although the buyers may want a fast closing be prepared. The holidays are when banks and title companies' employees take extra time off. So Closing Delays may occur.
5. Bidding Wars: There will be no bidding wars since there are fewer people house hunting during the holidays.
While there are both advantages and challenges to selling your home during the holiday season, knowing these can help you make an informed choice. It's essential to consider your specific circumstances and market conditions before deciding. As always, a seasoned and local real estate professional (like me) can provide valuable insight and guidance throughout this process.
Continue reading if you want to sell your property during the off-peak season!
Home Selling Tips for the Holiday Season
The most enchanting time to put your house on the market! Contrary to popular belief, Fall and Winter, with fewer listings, attract serious buyers making it an ideal time to sell your house. Navigating this unique selling journey might seem daunting, but with the right approach, it's a golden opportunity. Florida's holiday season can make your home as enticing to homebuyers as a slice of apple Pie. To increase your chances of getting offers on your home this Fall or Winter, here are some expert tips to help you navigate this process:
0. Preparation is Key: Have your property in tip-top shape. Declutter, Deep clean, and take care of minor cosmetic repairs and updates. Make your home as inviting and move in ready as possible.
1. Deck the Halls, But Don’t Overdo It: First impressions matter! Add curb appeal by placing a festive wreath on your door and seasonal plants, and consider stringing some lights along your roofline. While tasteful holiday decorations can make your home feel cozy and inviting, going overboard could distract potential buyers. Keep your decorations elegant and minimal. (remember you are moving soon.)
2. Use High-Quality Photos: With fewer daylight hours and potentially unflattering winter landscapes, professional real estate photography is crucial. Make sure your home looks warm, inviting, and well-lit in all listing photos.
3. Price It Right: The holiday season isn't the time to test the market with a high price. Homes priced correctly from the start get more traffic and sell quicker.
4. Be Flexible with Showings: Understand that the holiday season is a busy time for everyone. Be as flexible as possible when it comes to scheduling showings.
5. Leverage Online Marketing: With "colder" weather and busy schedules, more people are likely to begin their home search online. Ensure your listing is well-represented on popular real estate websites.( if you hire me you won't even have to think about this because for us is automatic!)
6. Keep It Cozy: A warm, cozy environment invites homebuyers to stay longer. Consider lighting a fire in the hearth or playing soft, classical music in the background.
7. Hire a Reliable Real Estate Agent: An experienced agent (like me) who knows the Kissimmee market and has a good track record of sales can help you sell your home successfully, even during the holiday season.
8. 3D Video Tour: Given travel restrictions and family obligations, a 3D video tour can give potential buyers a comprehensive look at your property without them needing to step foot inside. As your Kissimmee realtor I make sure we always ad 3D tours as part of our marketing.
9. Be Ready to Move Quickly: Homebuyers looking during the holidays are typically serious about purchasing quickly. Be prepared for a quick sale and have your moving plans in order.
10. Highlight Home's Winter Efficiency: If your home has features like an energy-efficient heating system or high-quality insulation, be sure to highlight these when you put your house for sale(not that we need that much heating in Florida).
Follow these tips and stands out from the competition during the Fall & Winter months. - and snag an offer in no time!
Once you have an offer is time to negotiate.
Negotiating an Offer in Fall & Winter
It's essential to be aware of the unique challenges of negotiating an offer in the Fall and Winter months.
Fewer buyers mean sellers have less negotiation leverage.
When negotiating, it comes down to price. Make sure you priced your home at fair market value, and if there are any repairs needed, here is what you can do:
- Have a company give you an estimate of all the things that need fixing in the home. This will provide you with the power to negotiate with confidence.
In any market, you will have to negotiate unrealistic offers. I suggest always counteroffering and letting the other party walk away.
At this point, you got an offer from a serious buyer, and you negotiated the price and terms. Now you want to know how soon you can close.
The Closing Timeframe During the Holiday Season
Holidays are the busiest time for everyone, including those involved in the sale of your home.
Many employees take extra time off during the holidays, adding days to the closing date.
In Kissimmee and surrounding areas, you can expect to close on your home between 35- 45 days on average. This doesn't mean there is no chance you can close earlier, but adjust your expectations.
Ok.
The buyer approved, the closing paperwork is ready, and your closing date is set. Now the fun, and not-so-fun part of moving, begins.
Moving During the Holiday Season
You did it, you got a buyer, and everything is ready to close. All hands on deck! Time to move. Moving might feel stressed out; it can be overwhelming. And you add the holidays on top of that—madness; It doesn't have to be that way.
- Let me offer you tips to manage your next move:
- Draft a plan for the move as soon as possible and keep it simple.
- Create a moving expenses budget and calculate unexpected moving expenses.
- Set up your move in steps. Write a list of tasks for each step. And add it to your moving calendar. (Remember to keep it simple).
- Save all your holiday delivery boxes.
- Start early and get organized. Make a daily list of everything you need to do and give yourself plenty of time to complete it.
- Avoid hosting gatherings, but if you must, through a packing party.
- Have a Donation box. The holiday season is ideal to donate things you don't want to take to your new place.
- Decorate minimally or skip it altogether.
- Hire a moving company and reserve the date you want them to move you.
- Make sure your new home is ready before you move in. You can enjoy your first holiday in your new home stress-free.
- Black Friday shopping for moving supplies.
- Check the weather; even though we don't get snow in Florida, it gets cold and rains. So monitor the weather to avoid damaging your stuff.
- And finally, don't forget to treat yourself! Moving is a big undertaking, so remember to take time for yourself during the process. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, put on your favorite holiday movie, and take a break from the season's business.
Following these tips can make your holiday move less stressful and much more enjoyable.
Wishing you a successful move~
There you have it. See, selling during the holiday season is not horrible. It's a little different but doable. I hope you got value out of this article and if you did, please share it with others.
Ps. If you are going to move, I would love the opportunity to be the Kissimmee real estate professional to help you make the transition a smooth one.
