Want to sell your San Francisco home during the holidays? Or maybe you are just curious what happens to the real estate market during those festive December-January months when the rest of life takes a pause?
It's a cozy time filled with holiday cheer, but also an interesting period for those thinking of selling their homes in San Francisco. You see, while many are busy decking the halls, there's a group of serious buyers out there, ready to find their new San Francisco home... 🎁
Let's dive right into some advice for selling your San Francisco home during the holidays, with insights from Danielle Lazier, founder of Vivre Real Estate and a top real estate listing agent in San Francisco for over 20 years. And no, donning an 'ugly Christmas sweater' isn't part of the strategy (but hey, it could add a bit of fun to your open house!).
Great! Being away while you sell your home over the holidays means your home can be shown more easily. An empty house allows for more flexible viewing schedules, accommodating the busy calendars of potential buyers. Just remember to keep in touch with your agent, even if you're sipping cocoa in a different time zone.
Think about this: juggling house showings with a full house can be a bit of a struggle. If your home feels more like Santa’s workshop with all the holiday decor and guests, it might be better to wait until the new year to list rather than sell your home in the holidays.
Agents need to hang their stockings too! Make sure you know your agent's holiday schedule. It's vital to clarify your SF listing agent's availability and ensure there's a plan in place for managing inquiries and offers during their absence. This includes coordination with any vendors involved in preparing your home for sale. If they’re taking a break, ensure there’s someone else to keep the ball rolling with any potential offers or inquiries.
This could be a holiday gift to yourself. It means less fuss with marketing and open houses, yet still getting your home out there through your agent's connections. Mind you, finding a buyer pre-market is not for everyone. For most sellers' situation and goals, the best strategy is to publicly list your home and expose your listing to all potential buyers. Plus, due to Realtor association rules, agents nowadays are extremely limited to how they can market a property that is not listed on the MLS. (This is generally a good thing to increase fairness and transparency in the industry.) But in a market where inventory might be limited—like San Francisco real estate—selling your home before it officially goes 'active' on the MLS can have some unique advantages.
As Danielle puts it, "Actually, the holidays are usually a busy time for our team. We have buyers who are serious about finding a home for the new year. We also have sellers who want to use our network to create buzz during a traditionally slower time of year. I've done many successful sales during the holidays. For example, I listed a house in prime Noe Valley in early December. Listing the home as 'coming soon' and showcasing it within my professional networks, not only did I sell the home in a week, I got more money for my Sellers than our mutual, best-case projections AND they saved $10-15k on staging and home fixups!"
To sell your home during the holidays in San Francisco can be both doable and successful. If you're considering it, why not give us a shout? At no obligation, let's discuss your personal situation and explore the best options for you. With our team of San Francisco Realtors and marketing specialists, we'll make sure your holiday home selling experience is as bright and merry as the season itself.
Contact Danielle Lazier Real Estate today. Happy Holidays!
