Dec. 4, 2007 - First impressions mean everything to buyers, especially during the holidays

You've bitten the bullet -there's no way around it-you're selling your home during the holidays. This time of year is unlike any other time of the year when I'm showing homes. Although my activity has slowed down from the summer season, the buyers that I've shown during the holidays are much more serious.

I noticed a recurring theme with the houses my clients liked this week - they were all warm, cozy, inviting, smelled nice, and, yes, they were decorated for the holidays. Based on my observation I'd like to give you a few pointers that are selling during the holidays:

1. Create an attractive environment that will allow buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons.
2. Spruce up your home by cleaning and decorating to give your home that "picture postcard" look.
3. Make sure that your decorations are elegant and inviting and not intimidating or "over the top".

These are the types of things you need to check off for the holidays in your home:

• A fresh coating of paint and a spotlight on the exterior door works wonders to create a cheery mood upon entering.
• Keep in clean - clean daily, especially in high traffic areas.
• Make your home beautiful and inviting by setting the stage with the correct lighting - High-watt bulbs show off a home better than low-watt bulbs.
• Leave the radio on a station that plays Christmas music during the holidays. In my area 93.9 and mix 101.5 are two.
• Make sure your home "smells" like Christmas - Insert plug-ins with a mild Christmas/apple/cinnamon scent.
• Make sure that Christmas decorations don't interfere with the floor plan or spacing in the home.
  • For example, I showed a home last year where they tried to stuff their wall mounted fish next to the Christmas tree in a small dining room.
• Keep Christmas decorations simple and elegant.
• Keep the personal photos to a minimum so that buyers can see themselves living cozily in the home.

I know this isn't the silver bullet to selling a home. If I had one I certainly know I'd use it. However, keeping these simple tips in mind will be one more reason to keep your home in contention and to land a buyer.