Happy New Year!

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy New Year!

Should I List (or Keep My House on the Market) During the Holiday Season?

If your home is on the market going in to the holiday season, you may be asking yourself if you should keep it on the market during the holiday season. Should you put your home on the market during the holiday season if you are thinking about listing your home?

REALTORs hear this question a lot this time of year. You may have fewer showings during the last few days of the year. People tend to be busy shopping, baking, going to parties and spending time with friends and family this time of the year. They may defer looking for a home until things quiet down after the first of the year. However, the buyers that make time to search for a home during the holiday season tend to be more serious than other buyers. So, don't be turned off by fewer showings.

Some tips to help your home show well (and sell!) during the holiday season:

• As with other times of the year, keep your home neat and tidy. I know it's harder this time of the year, but clean homes show better than dirty homes.
• If you live in a snowy climate, remove snow and ice from walkways.
• Keep holiday decorations to a minimum. Less is more with decorations while trying to sell your home. You want potential buyers to focus on the beautiful features of your home, not the decorations.
• Do not put up offensive decorations.
• Keep gifts (and other valuables) put away during showings. You do not want to attract potential thieves.
• If you have pictures of your yard during the spring, put them out for potential buyers to see. Seeing your plants in "full bloom" may help a buyer make a decision.

If I can help you answer any real estate questions you may have, let me know. I can be reached by email at Kathy@KathyRukat.com or by phone at (843) 267-2710.