Life can take unexpected turns, and sometimes selling your home during the holidays becomes necessary—whether you’re downsizing, relocating for work, or seeking warmer weather in places like Miami, FL, or San Diego, CA. Surprisingly, the holiday season can be a great time to sell. Why? With lower inventory in the housing market, your home stands out, and while there are fewer buyers, those searching are often serious and motivated. By making your home warm and inviting, you could find that selling your home during the holidays is the best gift of the season.
1. Deck the halls and stage for the holidays
Decorating your home for the holidays while selling it? Definitely—but think charmingly simple. Picture a fireplace draped with lush green garland and stockings, twinkling lights softly glowing in the evening light. The air carries the crisp, fresh scent of balsam and cedar, inviting potential buyers to imagine cozy winter nights.
Instead of oversized Christmas trees or an abundance of decor, let your home’s natural beauty shine. Highlight its features—a spacious living room with a subtle wreath over the mantle or a dining table set with understated holiday elegance. Keep things clean and uncluttered, creating a space that feels warm, open, and easy to envision as their future home. For an extra touch of magic, a professional stager can transform your holiday decor into a captivating scene that truly sets your home apart.
2. Price your home to strategically
In the initial steps of selling your home during the holidays, you and your listing agent will most likely come up with a pricing strategy together based on comparable homes in the area, the state of the current housing market, and what the demand for housing looks like or is projected to do.
Competitive pricing is key. If your home shares common features with others on the block, opting for a lower price point will definitely draw in more traffic than your rivals. However, if your home is the largest one on the block, has more acreage, or a double-car garage and pool, you can price your home based on the increased value it provides. Check out online estimates for how much your home is worth and then compare them to other houses in your area.
3. Make your winter curb appeal memorable
Your neighborhood can look extra inviting during the holidays with the right touches. While you don’t want to overwhelm with decorations, a few twinkling lights or a wreath on the door can make your home feel warm and welcoming against the winter chill.
With bare trees and dormant grass, curb appeal becomes even more important. Clear away fallen leaves and sticks, keeping the lawn neat and tidy—any sign of neglect, like stubborn weeds, can detract from your home’s charm. If you have photos of your home in full bloom, showing off lush gardens or vibrant landscaping, display them during showings to give buyers a glimpse of your property’s year-round beauty.
4. Prepare your home for winter weather
During the holiday season, many parts of the country are blanketed in frigid temperatures, with snow and ice transforming driveways and walkways into slippery, glittering landscapes. Icicles hang from gutters like delicate, frosty chandeliers, catching the light in sharp, cold hues.
If you’re located in one of these wintery climates and plan to sell your home during the holidays, the safety of the property is a top priority. To ensure potential buyers don’t slip or slide, take action early—grab your shovel and clear a smooth path. If you anticipate frequent snowfall, hiring a professional service to clear your driveway, steps, and walkways daily will keep your home accessible and welcoming, ensuring visitors can move around with ease while appreciating your property’s beauty.
5. Take professional real estate photos
To attract serious homebuyers, invest in professional real estate photography. This proven strategy can expedite the sale of your house and help sell your house faster and for more money. However, this is one time when holiday decorations should be kept out of the spotlight. It’s best to schedule your photos before decorating, as holiday decor can date your home, making it feel seasonal rather than timeless. To avoid having lingering lights or wreaths in your photos come February, book a professional photographer early, so you can showcase your holiday home while keeping your listing images fresh and timeless.
6. Get Santa’s perspective with aerial photography
It doesn’t matter if you live in sunny Tampa, FL, or buried in snow in Minneapolis, MN, consider aerial photography to help make your home stand out this holiday season. Imagine the sweeping view of your property’s sprawling lawn, twinkling holiday lights from above, or the cozy warmth of your home contrasting against a snowy backdrop. If your home boasts acreage, a stunning view, or unique features that are hard to capture from the ground, drone photography is the perfect way to showcase them.
Drone photography offers buyers a unique perspective of your home and can help make your listing stand out among the other homes for sale online. It also gives potential buyers an overview of your neighborhood along with other amenities that may be within walking distance of your home.
7. Highlight your home’s winter charm to attract buyers
As the air turns crisp, certain features of your home become even more inviting. If you have a fireplace, light it to create a warm, cozy atmosphere with the soft flicker of flames. Highlight its energy efficiency, along with modern insulation or double-paned windows, promising comfort and savings during the winter months.
Selling your home during the holidays gives you a unique opportunity to lean into the beautiful holiday charm. Outside, accentuate evergreens and snow-covered shrubs with twinkling lights to create a picturesque winter scene. These details—warmth inside and beauty outside—make your home a perfect retreat for buyers seeking a cozy escape this season.
8. Brighten your home inside and out
To enhance the cozy charm of your home, let light flood every corner. During open houses and virtual tours, turn on every lamp and overhead light, ensuring that even on the darkest winter days, your home feels warm and welcoming.
This is a great time to replace burnt-out light bulbs and fix light switches that aren’t working. Opt for soft white lighting to create a gentle, inviting glow, making each room feel airy and bright. This consistent lighting will guide potential buyers from room to room, highlighting the home’s best features and creating a balanced, uplifting vibe.
9. Flexibility is key when selling your home during the holidays
If you’re planning to sell your home during the holidays, adaptability is crucial to cater to potential buyers with busy schedules. To enhance the chances of a swift home sale, consider implementing the following strategies:
Extended showing hours and weekend availability
With the days growing shorter and holiday activities often extending into the evenings, think about stretching your showing hours. Allowing potential buyers to view your home later in the evening or earlier in the morning accommodates their schedules and increases the likelihood of attracting serious buyers. In addition, ensure your home is available for viewings on weekends to cater to those who may be occupied with work during the week. Or, have your real estate agent hold an open house during the weekend, providing a convenient opportunity for interested buyers to explore your property.
Option to tour virtually
Recognizing the busy nature of the season and potential travel restrictions, offering virtual tours can be a game-changer. High-quality virtual tours enable buyers to explore your home remotely, streamlining the initial screening process and making it more convenient for them.
10. Adding a little extra: Incentives to seal the deal
Embrace the spirit of giving during the holidays by providing unique incentives that can significantly enhance the appeal of your home, particularly for discerning buyers. These bonuses can tip the scales for individuals who may be indecisive about making an offer on your property.
Cover a portion of the closing costs
Ease the financial burden for potential buyers by covering a portion of the closing costs. This incentive reduces the upfront payment, providing significant relief during the holiday season when house hunters may face additional financial strain.
Offer a home warranty
Offer a one-year home warranty to instill confidence in buyers. This assurance guarantees protection from hefty repair bills for major systems or appliances that may encounter issues shortly after purchase. Some warranty companies even extend coverage to sellers before the home sale.
Be flexible on closing dates
Recognize the hustle and bustle of the holidays by offering flexibility on the closing date. Be prepared to work with the buyer’s timeline, whether they prefer a swift closure or to wait until after the New Year. Remember the bank holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, adjusting schedules accordingly to navigate closures of banks and attorney offices.
Selling your home during the holidays: final thoughts
Selling your home during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful planning and a touch of seasonal charm, you can attract serious buyers and make the process as seamless as possible. So deck the halls, light the fire, and let your home shine—your perfect buyer could be just around the corner.
