Selling A Home In December And During The Holidays

If you're planning on selling a home this December, there are certain things to consider. The holidays not only change our bank accounts, they also change our homes and our moods. It's almost as though things come to a sudden halt during December and the focus is on celebrating and of course shopping. If you're selling a property, remember that there are still people "holiday shopping" for their next home. Here are some tips to selling a home in December and during the holiday season.


The home above was used in "A Christmas Story"
Tremont area, Cleveland, Ohio (Leg lamp in window; not recommended if selling)

While your home is on the market in December and during the holidays, you still have to live there. Remember to keep decorations to a minimum and more neutral than in your other years. When selling your home, you should always view it as it now belongs to someone else. It's no longer your home but a house you're living in. Keep everything hotel-like and appeal to the masses. Also remember that some home buyers that visit your home may not share the same holidays or religion as you. I'm not saying not to celebrate your holiday, just think simple and less is more.

Keep holiday lighting on the exterior basic. Try to avoid covering the entire home with fake Santa's and having the whole heard of reindeer in the front yard. Keep it classy and uniform. Make sure to show off the classic design of your home and do not cover any desirable items such as a great front door, windows or seasonal landscaping that benefit the exterior. There is not one inflatable holiday yard item that will help you sell your house. Please use them on your next home and leave them in the garage this year. Try just adding accent lighting to the exterior face of the home. Being minimal will also be better for the environment and your electric bill.


Snow is an obvious problem for appeal and for safety. Cleveland winters can be tricky. You must make sure your walkways, steps and driveway are free of any ice or snow at all times. There's nothing worse than a buyer and agent approaching your home to view and falling or getting their shoes or clothes saturated. And if they get their cars stuck in the driveway, consider the first impression a bad one.

If you need to rearrange your furniture to accommodate your Christmas tree, make sure you do this carefully. View your decor and furniture as a buyer would. Make sure the flow is right and it suits your room. If you can't situate your living room appropriately, you may want to consider not putting up a tree, or buying a small one to set atop a table or stand. You may also need to remove some of your furniture to keep the home uncluttered. Home Ohio buyers driving by your home and viewing the inside will see it differently in the winter and during the holidays. They will view properties as their own. Keep this in mind while decorating. Think magazine or model home.


If you or your Realtor have taken photos of your home during the holidays, ask them to retake them directly after you've removed your decorations and upload the new ones. If your agent hasn't taken them yet, and you're getting ready to decorate, make sure they take them before you begin covering your home with green and red. There's nothing worse than online photos of homes with Christmas trees and wreathes on them in February.

Leave your kitchens and bathrooms alone. Try to keep the holiday spirit limited to just the main family room or living room. Some people elect to decorate each room in the home including bathrooms and kitchens using Christmas towels, soaps and mats. Leave things neutral and in prime viewing condition. Also avoid filling banisters and staircases with garland or lighting. You don't want anything to obstruct the view of woodwork or of course be a safety hazard.

Home buyers looking to make a move are typically more serious at this time. If they're willing to head out and deal with the weather, and put a stop to their holiday celebrating to shop for a home in Ohio, they're usually determined to find one and fast. Some home sellers see December as a time to kind of 'stop selling'. This is a bad move. Even if your home is seen by one home buyer during December, that home buyer could very well be the 'one'. Don't turn away showings or reschedule them if you can help it. Keep in mind that this December may be a very motivated time for home buyers who are active in Ohio due to the home buyer tax credit.

We say in the real estate industry that "Winter brings out the most serious buyers." This is true. If a home buyer has a rental lease expiring or must move due to divorce, death or relocation, they will buy at Christmas. There's even a joke in our Cleveland/Lakewood Howard Hanna office, "Who will be the agent in the office on Christmas Eve writing an offer?" Because there is someone in there every year. Keep your house ready to be sold regardless of the season, weather or holiday. You just never know who will be buying your home for the holidays, and they will be living in this home all year round.

To get started with the selling process, fill out our simple home value form or call/text us anytime. 216-323-4620. Let our extensive internet marketing work for you.