When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, locating that elusive present, entertaining, children's fun time, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your Tulsa home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in show ready condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.
It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your Tulsa home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is sometimes long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded by enough showings. And what if you do get an offer you want to accept? You may be faced with the possibility of packing up all that clutter and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right - NO?
Many top realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a grave mistake and not worth the risk. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market, is it? What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.
The holidays are a wonderful selling period. The reason for this is because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most Tulsa realtors like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.
Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:
1. Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Realtors believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other busy periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, college graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school events.
2. Many Tulsa home buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the Tulsa and Jenks school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right Tulsa home at the right price, however, is.
3. Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.
4. At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor home activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them, better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created in your home.
5. When is your Tulsa home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your local buyers and those from farther a field. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum and maintain the show ready feel.
6. With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the Tulsa MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if you marketed your home during a busier time.
7. If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your specific needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people tend to close the sale and purchase of real estate 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are always negotiable and if the buyer wants our home they will be willing to accommodate most delays.