Some buyers may be looking for the biggest gift of all

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

As Santa Claus makes his way into town, many sellers make their way out of the housing market. Open houses tend to take a back burner to holiday parties and shopping, as the market typically slows down this time of year.

Buyers traditionally do their house hunting in the spring and summer, when landscaping looks great, the weather’s warm and it’s more comfortable to shop.

But the fact of the matter is, some people need to get into a home as soon as possible — regardless of the time or season. Many house hunters even use their holiday time off work to look.

“There is a core group of lookers who have to buy a house by a certain time,” said Kelly Sweeney, president and CEO of Weir Manuel Realtors, which has several offices in Oakland County. “So my advice is to keep (the house) on the market and be prepared to show at any time.”

There is a tendency for home sellers to take their house off the market during the holidays, partly because they’re so busy with the season, but also because they assume their chances of selling are low. Not necessarily so, Sweeney says.

The thinking is that anyone who is out looking for a new home during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is a serious buyer. So leaving the “for sale” sign up can pay off.

“The casual lookers go away because they’re deviated with all of the holiday parties and activities,” Sweeney said.

“Each appointment is more important (during the holidays) than any other appointment during the spring and summer,” said Stacey Lofrano Harrison, a Realtor with Pointe Realty Inc. in Utica. “You’re not going to get the same amount of traffic as you would during the other seasons, but what we do see is much more serious.”

Once a decision is made to keep the house on the market over the holidays, the next decision is whether to show off holiday spirit with decorations. Traditionally, the less clutter in a home the better, and some Realtors suggest sellers keep decorations in check. 

But if you’ll feel like Ebenezer Scrooge keeping your mistletoe and holly in storage, realtors suggest you at least keep it simple.

“Holiday decorations are usually fun for everyone; however, they do sometimes clutter the home,” said Maxine Murray, a Realtor with Century 21 Town and Country in Royal Oak.

Murray also suggests that sellers avoid using too much potpourri during showings, as some buyers might see potpourri as a way to cover up an unpleasant odor. But tasteful decorations are fine, she said.

“Anything you can do to attract people to your home is helpful, and holiday lights are a great way to do it,” said Lofrano Harrison. A nicely decorated exterior can make a home stand out from the others on the street, she said.

Not only that, but getting some of your decorations or a Christmas tree out of storage can help show off storage and closet space in a home, she said.

One thing to keep in mind when selling your house during the holidays, or anytime in the winter for that matter, is that inclement weather can sometimes show a house’s defects, Murray said. Melting snow can reveal a leaky roof, for example.

“One precaution for sellers is to have their houses professionally winterized,” Murray said.

You can reach Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586) 218-5006.