Midwest Minute - December 04, 2011

What?  List this close to Christmas?  Are you crazy?

Many potential sellers we speak with at this time of year are surprised to hear a strong recommendation that they continue through with the listing and not wait for the New Year.  Let me tell you from my experience why I believe you shouldn’t hesitate to get any property on to the market. It was only twelve months ago when a long time client was questioning my sanity. So I am going to say to you what I said to them.

You would be amazed at the sincerity of those potential buyers who are actively looking today. Frankly people are not going to be shopping this time of year unless they are really motivated.  In fact, a good percentage of prospects are from out of area, and most likely have just received notice of a transfer into the community.  If they have school age children, they would really like them to start the next semester with everybody else.

A second buyer group is young couples looking to purchase their first home together.  Many are hard working folk who are getting a year end bonus and have decided to use it towards a down payment.  In our oil and gas economy, the two weeks around Christmas may be the only days off they have had for months; now they have some time to look.  And while it is true that a lot of relationships break down this time of year, there are just as many couples who want to take their commitment to the next level.  I remember selling a new house late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve several years ago; what a happy occasion to share in!

The third buyer group is the young family that has just found out that another child is on the way, and they will soon need more room.  A bigger home is something to look forward to in the Christmas stocking, and reinforces this joyous event as positive change.

Surprisingly enough, the other end of the age spectrum is often in the hunt this time of year too as Mom and Dad may feel it is time to downsize.  They want to look at their options before their adult children come home for the holidays, then solicit further input and hopefully moral support, into the difficult decision that it is time to let the family home go in favour of one that is easier for them to maintain.

More than likely most potential sellers are thinking right now, “what a pain in the rear” it would be to keep your home ship-shape and show-ready this time of year. Stop and think of how your house presents - cheerful decorations, bright colorful lights, and maybe even the smell of baking; all of which serves to welcome potential buyers and make them feel right at home.  Even the snow gets in the act by laying a soft and forgiving blanket of white over the yard. 

Leaving for the holidays? This is actually is an advantage for us Realtors as we now have the flexibility to show during the daylight hours without worrying about disrupting your family’s schedule.  Bottom line?  Let the others keep or take their home off the market.  Less competition for you!

And those clients last December who doubted my wisdom?  They packed their tree and decorations directly for the move, as they accepted an offer on their house week before Christmas!

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and a partner with The Midwest Group.  Contact him by phone at 780.808.2700 or through  www.wesellmidwest.ca 

Visit www.facebook.com/Lloydminstermidwestgroup  for more tips on real estate.

Comment Notification

Subscribe to this post's comments using RSS