How to Win in Real Estate during the Final 54 Days!

The holiday season is filled with love, family, friends and cherished traditions. Now is not the time to shy away from buying or selling a home. This time of the year is a great time to sell your home because supply is still low and demand is still high. It is also a great time to be a potential buyer. Look for homes that have been on the market for several months. These sellers may have a need to sell or may be considering taking their home off the market. Both of these potential situations are good for you as a buyer because you can swoop in and bring them that perfect opportunity to sell their home after all these months.

Selling your home during the holidays brings up the question of whether to decorate or not. The answer to this question that is asked year after year is yes. The key is to keep the decorations tasteful and classy. Buyers want to walk into your home and envision what it could be like to spend the holidays there. In regards to outdoor décor keep it simple. Avoid decorations unless it is a simple string of lights. This is the time many people back away from the idea of selling their home and do not take full advantage of all the incredible potential of the Minnesota Winter housing market. Here are some plays to selling your home in the last 60 days from Jim’s Real Estate Playbook.

Play #1: Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent?

How do you choose the right real estate agent? There are multiple factors that go into finding the right relator. Finding someone you connect with, trust and that shares the same values as you are the most important factors in finding the right relator. When selecting an agent find an individual that has hyperlocal market knowledge and that can determine what it is about your home that sets it apart from the rest. Look for a real estate agent that demonstrates an understanding of your environment and situation you are faced with. Someone that will be the guardian of your hopes, dreams and cherished memories of the past.

Play #2: Positioning your home

It is important to position your home within the market. What is it about your home that makes it special or unique? What you love about your home may not appeal to potential buyers. The key is determining what it is about your home that will draw in potential buyers and finding a way to communicate it’s true value.

Play #3: Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first and last thing potential buyers see so it should be one of the key items you focus on when preparing to sell your home. Curb appeal during the holidays and wintertime is different than other seasons. It is important to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear of snow and ice, keep salt around for last minute showings, clear your roof of ice damns, have your dogs use the backyard, and leave your outside lights on so your home can shine.

Play #4: Showings

Getting your home ready for a showing means getting your home ready to have potential buyers be able to envision themselves living in the home. Leave plenty of lights on and trade out the energy efficient lights for brighter incandescent light bulbs. Fire up all fireplaces for potential buyers so they can experience that warm and cozy feeling. You will go along way with relators showing your home to prospective buyers if you don’t ask them to turn the lights off at the end of the showing. The last thing you want is the realtor and their potential buyer to be focusing on finding and turning off all of the light switches instead of embracing the final special moment in the home. The primary purpose of a showing is for potential buyers to come in to the home feeling good and leave feeling great.