Selling Your Tampa Bay Home During The Holidays?
Here’s How To Do It And Why It Makes Sense!
As the holiday season approaches, the real estate market is still going strong here in the Tampa Bay area. Although clients often think that listing your home at this time is a waste of time, we respectfully disagree. Here are five major reasons why fall listings are a smart move for Tampa home sellers, and how to make the most of a holiday listing.
- Home buyers in the fall market are typically more motivated to close on their homes. Why? Because they want to be settled into their new places for the New Year, often to start new jobs. Fall is prime shopping time for those buyers. What to do: Work with an experienced real estate agent who can find these types of house hunters.Buyers with a year-end deadline may include those relocating for jobs, investors with tax deadlines, people within the healthcare and academic worlds and even military personnel and snow birds.
- There are fewer homes on the market during the holidays which could mean more exposure and traffic for yours.Less competition in the market may also translate into a slightly higher price for your home or a faster sale. People tend to be more easily moved by emotion during the holidays and are more likely to pay your asking price.What to do:Make sure that you’ve established a competitive price for your home, based on the comps in the area and your home’s key features. A good agent will be able to help you price your home so that it will attract the most buyers.
- Houses that are decorated for the holidays show really well!Everything is more beautiful at this time of year and your home should be, too. What to do:Make sure that your holiday décor is tasteful and enhances the natural features of your home. This isn’t the time to have a holiday lights competition with the neighbors or to make your home look cluttered. Keep it simple and consistent; let your decor showcase, but not obscure, that beautiful custom staircase or open foyer space.
- Sellers always have the option to limit their showing times right before and after the celebrated holidays. Many sellers assume that they’ll have to show their homes during Thanksgiving dinner or on Christmas Eve.In reality, while you can control the times that you show your home, also keep in mind that the folks who are using their holiday time to look at homes are likely to be serious buyers.What to do:Hire an experienced, reputable, real estate agent who will continue to work hard for you during the holiday season to get your home sold. Ask around and you’ll find that the real pros tend to have excellent recommendations and have spent their entire careers in the business.
- Don’t forget the tax benefits! Florida buyers who want to take advantage of the Homestead Exemption for 2016 need to own and occupy their properties as their primary residences by 12/31.
What to do:If you’re thinking about selling, now is the time to place your home on the market.Don’t delay! Feel free to contact us at 813-294-5786or info@dickandkarla.comso we can help you get started today.
