Dayv Morgan: 4 tips for selling your home in December

It’s no secret 2020 has been a seller’s market for most of the year, with low supply and multiple offers. As we head toward the holidays there is a good chance we may see a slowdown, as we have in previous years.

In December 2019, only 112 homes went under contract, the lowest of any month in the last year, and about half the 219 homes that went under contract two months later in February.

If you do plan to list this month here are some things to keep in mind:

Have your house photos taken before you do any decorating for the holidays so the Christmas decorations are not in the pictures. If your house doesn’t sell in December, then buyers will still be viewing pictures of your Christmas tree in January and February, reminding them that it’s been on the market a long time.

If you are “decking the halls” for your last Christmas in the home, keep it very minimal. You want potential buyers to see the floor plan when they visit, but holiday décor can hide that. It can also take up space and make the house look small and cluttered. Scents of Christmas, however, like cinnamon can be a good addition.

If someone is coming to see your home, light is especially important in wintertime. If you have sunscreens on your windows, they should be removed. It gets dark early, so remember to keep your exterior lights on and make sure the bulbs inside are working when late-afternoon or early-evening visitors come to look over your house.

Spruce up your landscaping and outdoor elements. If weather permits you should overseed your lawn. They also sell a special grass paint to make dormant Bermuda grass look lush and green. Use a portable fire pit to create a picture of warmth. If you have a pool, take off the cover.

Even if they are buying in winter, potential buyers want a good idea of what the year-round experience in your house will be.

Dayv Morgan is a Maricopa Realtor and owner of HomeSmart Success.

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