Most people think of spring time as the best season for selling a home. However, there are numerous reasons why you might decide to sell during the holidays as the year winds down to a close. Choosing to put your house on the market at this time of year can be beneficial in several ways.
For one, there is often a lower inventory of homes for sale near the end of a year. This is a benefit if you are a seller because you might be able to list your house on the market for a higher price than you would at the height of the spring or summer seasons. In addition, if a buyer is set on closing a deal before the New Year, he or she might be willing to pay a little more to accomplish the goal.
It is easy to stage a home during a festive season
Staging a home is one of the most important aspects of scheduling showings. During a festive season like the holidays, it is easy to create a welcoming, cozy and inviting ambience throughout a home. It is best to avoid being too personalized with decorations. However, there are plenty of neutral options that provide just the right touch while still enabling buyers to envision themselves living there.
Many buyers take a stroll or drive around a neighborhood before deciding if they want to make an offer on a home. During the holidays, the whole town might look festive with decorations in the town square and on the exterior of neighbors’ houses. This adds to the festive feeling, and might even make a buyer feel more eager and willing to make an offer on your house. There are never any guarantees, but it doesn’t hurt to test the theory.
There may be tax benefits to closing before the end of a year
If the sale of your home closes before the 31st, the buyer may enjoy certain tax benefits. Buyers who close before ringing in a New Year may be able to deduct property taxes, mortgage loan interest and more on their tax returns.
From a seller’s perspective, you might be glad to know that the competition may not be has heavy if you are putting a house on the market during the holidays near the end of the year. This can often give you a little more room for negotiating a great deal that leaves your buyer happy and gives you the profit you were hoping to achieve.