What will Wednesdays Budget Mean for the Welsh Property Market
It is widely anticipated that the Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt will want to stimulate a positive feeling to the economy and with reports that the Chancellor will have a smaller pot to play with than had previously been expected it is very likely that cuts and changes will be targeted towards home owners and the housing market as this is an easy way to create a sense of a buoyant economy. UK economic growth has been stagnant since the beginning of 2022, with high inflation and rising interest rates slowing economic activity. GDP declined over the last two quarters of 2023, meeting the definition of a “technical recession”. Modest GDP growth is expected to return in 2024 as inflation is forecast to fall and the Bank of England is expected to start reducing interest rates. The consensus forecast among economists is for GDP growth of 0.3% in 2024. All of this means the Chancellor needs to be cautious with changes as over ambitious and changes that had not been properly costed were to blame for the problems we faced in September 2022 when the value of the Pound plummeted. Novembers Autumn Statement has already set the course for some changes. We already know that there will be cuts to National Insurance, and an increase in the minimum wage. The Spring budget is only a few days away now and we would not be surprised to see reports of some significant changes after the 6th March, including: Cuts to income tax (and/or National Insurance) Cutting Stamp Duty Increased income tax thresholds Reforms to inheritance tax Help for home buyers, longer terms mortgages and the resurrection of the Help to Buy scheme Changes to the Lifetime ISA threshold All of which is likely to stimulate more activity in the housing market and a positive shift in buyer demand will almost certainly fuel increases in average house prices again in 2024. Tax on holiday lets It is also rumoured that Mr Hunt is considering scrapping tax perks for holiday let owners. Of course a move like this could be hugely beneficial in helping local communities our popular tourist locations, like Pembrokeshire, where a high proportion of properties have been converted to holiday lets. But of course this could also mean an influx of these properties being sold this year, which could have a negative impact locally on prices. Cutting Stamp Duty There is a large amount of pressure on the Chancellor from certain elements of the Conservative party to make cuts to Stamp Duty. However, as decisions over Land Transaction Tax (the Welsh equivalent of Stamp Duty) are devolved there is no guarantee any changes to Stamp Duty rates made in Westminster this week will be applied here in Wales. One suggestion has been to scrap Stamp Duty entirely for those looking to down size. There are reports that a lot of home owners are put off down sizing due to the cost of stamp duty and by removing it for down-sizers this end of the market will be stimulated, freeing up housing stock for families wanting to move up the ladder
4 Ways to Boost your Kerb Appeal this Spring
With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to spruce up your home’s kerb appeal. 🏠 Front Door: A fresh coat of paint on your door and surrounding trim can go a long way towards making it look neat and inviting. 🏠 Lighting: Consider adding solar lights along walkways or installing new lanterns on either side of your front door for added charm and illumination after dark. 🏠 Add Accessories: You don’t have to spend big money on expensive landscaping materials, instead, opt for smaller accent pieces like planters or outdoor furniture that won’t break the bank but will add personality to outdoor spaces like patios and decks. 🏠 Tidy Garden: Keep up with regular garden maintenance by mowing regularly, weeding flower beds, pruning shrubs/trees as needed, etc., as this will help keep your garden looking neat and tidy throughout springtime (and beyond!). By doing a few simple things this season you’ll always have an attractive home exterior that buyers will love!
Are we on the verge of another house price boom?
With all the conflicting news reports you might think it crazy to even ask if another house price boom might be on the cards, but it is a question asked by one mainstream journalist recently and when you start to dig a little deeper it is perhaps not as crazy as it first sounds. However, before we get too excited we have to realise that previosu predictions of cuts to the base rate have not prevailed and in fact in its last meeting the MPC were split, with two members even voting for an increase to 5.5% so there is obviously still reason to believe 2024 may not be the year for a boom but there are lots of factors that will be contributing to pressuring the market that way, not least it is widely expected that the Government will look to gain some favour prior to the upcoming election. Low Transaction Levels In the ten years to 2007 the average number of household transactions in the UK was around 1.3m a year, falling as a consequence of the financial crisis to an average of just under a million a year for the next twelve years until we saw numbers peak at around 1.2m in 2021 and 2022 and then dropping back to just 900,000 in 2023. Could this be a sign that there is huge pent up demand in the market? It could be reasonable to suggest that perhaps 300,000 to 400,000 people sat on their hands last year and pushed back their move waiting for inflation and interest rates to stabilise. A theory that would be backed up by an uplift in buyer activity this year, which is exactly what has happened. In their latest report Zoopla have indicated that there has been an 11% increase in demand for homes, Richard Donnell, Executive Director – Research at Zoopla says ‘The fact we have almost a fifth more homes for sale than a year ago is helping, providing buyers with more choice and boosting the chances of sales being agreed.’ I would go a step further and say the increase in available properties is giving more people confidence they will not have to compromise on their next move, something many home owners were nervous about during the really buoyant markets in 2021 and 2022, when many people considering a move put things on hold because they were afraid they’d be pushed into moving without being able to find the right place for them. But now in a steadier market that has more choice many of these potential sellers are now being tempted back into the market. Are prices going to fall in 2024? If only I had that crystal ball I could tell you the answer to this question. Lets look at the facts around house prices, in the last five years average house prices have soared by around 20% or £60,000, while 2023 saw the average price of a house in the UK drop by just 4% This drop appears to have plateaued toward the end of the summer and has remained relatively steady since. Interestingly tracking GDP, something house prices has done since the 1980’s (maybe longer but I don’t have the data to support any further back). So with GDP predicted to grow throughout 2024 and beyond it is understandable that many experts are suggesting house price growth is very likely this year and beyond, with many reports I have read suggesting we can expect 20% growth over the next five years. It is harder to know what will happen in the short term, as I mentioned above there is still a looming possibility interest rates will be increased, however most still believe we will end the year with a base rate closer to 4.5%. It is also likely that many potential home movers who postponed their move last year will take advantage of the slightly improved 2024 market and we expect overall transaction levels to be up this year. Government Intervention As I mentioned at the start of this report, it is widely anticipated that the Government will want to stimulate a positive feel to the economy and this is very likely to be targeted towards home owners and the housing market. The Spring budget is only around the corner and we would not be surprised to see reports of some significant changes after the 6th March, including: Cuts to income tax (and/or National Insurance) Increased income tax thresholds Reforms to inheritance tax Help for home buyers, longer terms mortgages and the resurrection of the Help to Buy scheme Changes to the Lifetime ISA threshold All of which is likely to stimulate more activity in the housing market and a positive shift in buyer demand will almost certainly fuel increases in average house prices again in 2024. So if you have been thinking about selling, what does all this mean for you? Act now! The market has shown signs of resilience and there is an increase in buyer activity that is likely to continue throughout Q1 and Q2, but with a general election looming we expect the usual softening of the market in Summer will continue throughout Autumn right up until after the election. Therefore in a year where we expect an increase in transaction levels this is likely to mean a very busy first half of the year and if you want to get the best price for you home, now is the time to act! If you are already trying to sell and have not had a positive start to 2024 then maybe it is time to consider a change of approach. I would always recommend reviewing your marketing and the service you are receiving from your agents. Are your photos reflecting the improving weather and showing some of the Spring flowers or are they still looking wintery? Has your agent discussed strategies to make sure you make the most of the improving market and have they
9 Staging Secrets to Get Your Home Sold
Staging your house for sale can make a huge difference to the offer you receive and the length of time it sits on the market. In fact the latest statistics suggest a staged home will sell on average 25% quicker than one that hasn’t been. So, here are 9 staging secrets to get your home sold: Declutter Your Spaces: When you say declutter to someone the first thing that springs to mind is clearing out wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. But have you ever thought of decluttering your furniture? A professional stager actually removes half a homeowner’s furniture to make a house look bigger. So have a look around and see what you can throw out, pack away or pop into storage for a few months. Group Your Furniture: A common staging misconception is that pushing your furniture up against a wall instantly makes the room look bigger. However, the truth is, to make your room look bigger and more inviting then it’s best to float your furniture in each room away from the walls. Just remember to make sure that your furnishings are placed where traffic can still flow through the room. Transform Spare Rooms: Get rid of that spare room that has only ever collected boxes or other junk and turn it into something functional. Make it into an extra bedroom, a home office or reading room. Buyers want to see themselves living in the property and this helps them to do that. Great Lighting: Great lighting is a must when you’re staging your home for sale. You can flood a room with natural light if you put mirrors on the walls opposite light sources. Also, make sure you include table lamps and floor lights in your rooms as that creates ambient lighting. Never use the light in the middle of your room as your main source of light as it won’t show your room off to its best. Go Neutral: If you’ve a bright pink room or have invested in wallpaper that has a unique pattern then a fresh lick of paint can go a long way. Off-white, creams and neutral soft greys can transform your home into a modern fresh canvas for a potential buyer. If you do want to be a bit bold then please make sure it’s only on a feature wall. Use Your Garden: Fancy flowers and floral arrangements can be pricey but you can get the same effect with a simple bunch of flowers from the supermarket or by picking some flowers from your garden. Just keep the arrangement simple and throw in a little bit of colour. Flowers can instantly bright up a room. Quick Kitchen Facelift: Give your kitchen an instant facelift by painting cabinet doors or drawers or by vinyl wrapping them. It’s a cost effective solution and the results can be incredible. Also, tackle your bathroom by freshening up the grouting or sealant for quick results. Finish Those Repairs: Unfinished home repairs can really put off potential home buyers. If you need to touch up the paintwork on a chipped banister or replace a wonky door handle then please do it. Don’t give a buyer ammunition to negotiate a lower price for your home. So finish those repairs you’ve been meaning to do for years and you’ll reap the rewards. Clean Your Home: We’ve saved the best for last because this is the most important tip- clean your house from top to bottom. A dirty house is a massive turn off for potential buyers. Make sure your home is spotless, scrub the kitchen and bathrooms and eliminate any odours- especially if you’ve pets or smoke. If you can afford it then get professional cleaners to come in and blitz the place, as buyers want a nice, fresh welcoming home they can see themselves building a life in. So, there we have it, just a few simple, affordable tips that can make a huge difference to the sale of your house. If you have been trying to sell your home, or if you are considering putting your home up for sale then please feel free to contact us to arrange a consultation to discover how our strategies and processes can help you get the result you want, and if staging your home is a little out of your comfort zone don’t worry as we can take care of that for you as part of our standard service. You can book an appointment direct to our diary here
Returning Buyer Confidence
With a general election looming and a decidedly disappointing 2023 many experts predicted that 2024 would simply be ‘more of the same’ and as a consequence many of the National news outlets reported forecasts of house prices falling in 2024. However, with inflation lower than expected, it is now widely predicted that, although at the time of writing the base rate remains unchanged since August 2023, there will be a drop in the Bank of England base rate and in fact many experts are now expecting that there will be multiple reductions in the base rate this year. This in turn has lead to competition intensifying among mortgage lenders, with many dropping the rates being offered to attract new business. At the time of writing, according to Moneyfacts, the average 5 year fixed rate mortgage is now only 5.37% and this is expected to continue on a downward trajectory. But there is more to the housing market than just slightly lower interest rates! In a career of over two decades I have seen falling and booming markets and there’s always a cocktail of events that cause the biggest swings one way or another. The boom of the early 20’s (2020’s that is) was caused by artificially low interest rates and a pent up demand from years of Brexit uncertainty followed by the Covid-19 pandemic and of course the impact that had on buyers priorities. So what other aspects are in play at the moment? It could be argued that the market was curtailed in the final quarter of 2022 and throughout 2023 due to the mini-budget of September 2022 that caused so much disruption and lead to multiple quick increases in interest rates, which caused buyers to be nervous. With Rightmove reporting a 5% increase in the volume of enquiries in the first weeks of 2024 compared to 2023, could it be that some of those who put things on hold are now returning to the market? It certainly seems like it, with Rightmove also reporting an increase in Sales agreed in the first week of 2024 of 20% compared to the first week of 2023. This increase in buyer activity and the widely predicted change to interest rates has seem some forecasters amend their predictions for 2024, most notably Knight Frank who have gone from predicting a drop in average house prices in 2024 to now reporting that they believe prices will go up by 3% Which in the space of three months is a pretty significant swing in their prediction of 7%. However, competition among sellers is currently higher that it has been for some time with a higher than typical number of properties already on the market, plus so far this year the number of new instructions is up 15% compared to 2023. So if you have been thinking about selling, what does all this mean for you? Well returning buyer confidence is always good news, combine this with falling mortgage rates and the predicted Bank of England base rate drops it is likely we are going to see a much more balanced market than that of 2023, potentially even, dare I say it a sellers market throughout Spring and Summer, after which I suspect things will slow again with the announcement of the general election. With the increasing number of properties likely to be available on the market as we approach Spring it will still be important for sellers to ensure their homes stand out as they compete for buyers attention. Obviously competitive marketing prices are one solution, but this alone can just lead to a lower sale price. For owners of premium properties (like yours) in particular it will be important to ensure they have the assistance of a specialist agent who has experience in dealing with homes in the upper quartile. This agent must be able to demonstrate that they are capable of negotiating with savvy experienced buyers and that they have the ability to curate a stunning portfolio of marketing assets and the strategies to ensure the property is then exposed to the widest possible audience. It is important that you are important to the agent and not just another poster in a window, by working with a smaller number of clients the individual agent responsible for your sale will get to know you and will have the time to communicate effectively and regularly with you, giving them the opportunity to offer genuine expert advice at every stage, sadly too many agents and agencies have a ratio of sellers to agents that prevents the necessary level of customer service, which can result in excess stress and a poor sale price.
6 Tips to Staging Your Hall
Your hall is the first room in the house viewers will see when they come to take a look around your property, so it’s important to create a good first impression. It can be so easy to put a lot of effort into staging every other room in the house but forget about the main entrance into your home. Ultimately, you want to wow potential buyers from the moment they set foot inside your property, so here are six tips to help you stage your hall just right and secure a buyer quickly: Pack away coats, shoes & bags: Don’t let viewers trip over jackets, bags or shoes you’ve left lying at your front door as this will leave them with the worst possible impression. Instead, pick everything up and store your personal belongings away. If you’re lacking storage space you can still keep them in the hall but on coat hooks or tidied away neatly in a hallway unit or organizer. Get painting: Painting your hall is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of transforming the room to make it feel more welcoming. If your hall has any walls that feature bold or loud colours then freshen it up with neutral colours and shades instead. You want your hallway to look open, bright, and fresh to create the best first impression you possibly can. Add a mirror: Mirrors are fantastic additions to any hallway and can really transform the space. By adding a mirror to your hall you will instantly add light to the room, making it appear brighter and bigger as well as adding a touch of style to it. Check the front door: Make sure your front door can open and close easily as well as lock and unlock easily. You want to create a feeling of safety and your front door is something a viewer might check themselves. Don’t be left red-faced if it doesn’t close or lock properly, so get this checked out and fixed as soon as possible if there are any issues. Bring some life and a pop of colour: Consider adding a hallway console table filled with chic accessories, such as a vase of fresh flowers, clock or candles. If this isn’t your thing, look at adding some potted plants to bring a bit of character and sense of comfort to your hall. Make sure it smells nice: A fresh smelling hall will instantly give your buyers a good impression of your house. Impress them when they first walk through the door by infusing the space with nice smells such as home baking, coffee, scented candles or wax melts or use diffusers or air fresheners to provide that clean and homely feeling. A viewer can take only a few seconds to decide whether they wish to buy a house or not so it’s important to give them the best experience as soon as they set foot through your front door. Staging a hallway is crucial to making that first impression count.
8 Reasons Your Home isn’t Selling
Selling a home can be a nerve-wracking experience. You want to move on as quickly as possible and for a good price, but frustration can easily creep in if your house has been sitting on the market for a few months. If your home isn’t getting many viewers and time is ticking on, it might be down to some of these factors: Too Expensive: The number one reason a home won’t sell is always because of the price. Homeowners always feel their home is worth more than the agent and market data tells them. But, if you put your home on the market for a price that’s unrealistic then you could have a house that will sit on the market for months and won’t generate much interest. Dropping the asking price, even just a little bit, will attract more viewers. However, it is really important you make sure the other reasons your home might not be selling have all been addressed before you consider changing your marketing price. Photos: The majority of buyers start their search for a home online these days and that’s why it’s very important to have good quality images and video showcasing your property. Some homeowners want to provide agents with pictures they’ve taken themselves but this is always a bad idea and I have even heard of agents snapping photos with their smart phone. Make sure you hire a local agent who has a proven track record in creating quality marketing materials and you’ll attract more viewers to your home. We work with professional photographers on all our properties to guarantee our clients get the absolute best portfolio of photographs possible. Time: When putting your house on the market it’s a good idea to be mindful of what season it is. Selling a house in the height of summer can pose some challenges as many people are away on holiday. If you sell in the middle of winter some buyers will just hold off until after Christmas. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to sell your home at certain times of the year, it just means that you and your agent need to have have a strategy to make sure you get a result. Too Personal: As a homeowner you’ve an emotional connection to your property but it’s important to remember that your buyer won’t and they might not love you collection of dolls in the spare room or unusual paintings in the living room. Put all overly personal items in storage to allow your buyers to visualise themselves living there. Too Cluttered: Before you put your home on the market make sure you declutter every room in your house as buyers want to walk into a house and see themselves living there. Sometimes people can’t see past other people’s stuff and it will put them off. Ask your agent for tips on how to stage your home for sale, but please don’t take their advice personally. Some of our clients even employ the services of one of our recommended interior designers to help style their home ready for marketing. It Smells Bad: If you smoke or have a pet then you won’t notice the smell in your home- but other people coming into your home will and it can really put buyers off. Before showing your house, deep clean your carpets, dispose of any rubbish and freshen up fabrics with odour eaters. On the day of your viewings don’t cook food that have strong smells, instead use scented candles and diffusers and open your windows to allow fresh air in. You Won’t do Repairs: Homeowners are often left horrified if their agent suggests they might have to give their home a lick of paint or fix those DIY jobs that they’ve been ignoring for years. However, you want to make a good first impression on potential buyers and if your home is a bit tired then that will leave people with the wrong impression. Consider your buyers point of view, they are most likely searching for their ‘dream home’, is that likely going to be one that comes with a ready made to-do list? Low Showing Availability: It can be incredibly annoying having to keep your home tidy all the time and to have strangers walking through your home constantly, but you have to make your home available for viewings as much as possible. If you decline too many showings then you could end up missing out on the perfect buyer. Allow your agent to show the home when you’re at work and at weekends. Also, ask them to give you 24 hours notice. One of the ways we deal with this is by pre-planning viewings and booking them in blocks, allowing us to minimalise disruption to you. Don’t let your listing gather dust, make sure you avoid these 8 mistakes and you’ll have a home that will sell in no time. Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a FREE home valuation.
Boost Your Home’s Value This Winter
As the temperatures drop, it’s a perfect time to make your home cozier and more valuable. Here are *3 essential tips* to help you improve your home’s worth this winter: 1. *Energy-Efficient Upgrades:* Installing energy-efficient features like insulation, windows, or a smart thermostat can save money on utility bills and increase your home’s value. 2. *Cosmetic Refresh:* A fresh coat of paint, updated fixtures, and minor repairs can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home. 3. *Curb Appeal Matters:* Don’t forget about your home’s exterior! Maintain your landscaping and add seasonal decor to create an inviting first impression. Ready to boost your home’s value this winter? Start now! ❄️💰 #WinterHomeImprovement #HomeValueBoost #RealEstateTips When you’re getting ready to sell your home, it’s important to make a list of things that need to be fixed and things that can wait. Not everything needs to be fixed before you sell, and in some cases, it’s not worth the money or hassle. Here are a few tips on how to decide what not to fix: 🛠️ Make a list of priorities. Fix the things that are most important to buyers, like broken windows or a roof that’s in need of repair. 🛠️ Consider the cost. If the repairs are going to cost more than 10 percent of the home’s value, it might not be worth it. 🛠️ Think about the time and effort it will take. If the repairs are going to take a lot of time or money, it might not be worth it. 🛠️ Weigh the benefits. If the repairs are going to make your home more appealing to buyers, it might be worth it. 🛠️ Decide if you have time. If you’re selling your home in a hurry, you may not have time for big repairs. In this case, it might be better to do some smaller repairs and call it good. Making a decision about what not to fix when selling your home can be difficult, but following these tips should help make it a little easier.
9 Staging Secrets to Get Your Home Sold
Staging your house for sale can make a huge difference to the offer you receive and the length of time it sits on the market. In fact the latest statistics suggest a staged home will sell on average 25% quicker than one that hasn’t been. So, here are 9 staging secrets to get your home sold: Declutter Your Spaces: When you say declutter to someone the first thing that springs to mind is clearing out wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. But have you ever thought of decluttering your furniture? A professional stager actually removes half a homeowner’s furniture to make a house look bigger. So have a look around and see what you can throw out, pack away or pop into storage for a few months. Group Your Furniture: A common staging misconception is that pushing your furniture up against a wall instantly makes the room look bigger. However, the truth is, to make your room look bigger and more inviting then it’s best to float your furniture in each room away from the walls. Just remember to make sure that your furnishings are placed where traffic can still flow through the room. Transform Spare Rooms: Get rid of that spare room that has only ever collected boxes or other junk and turn it into something functional. Make it into an extra bedroom, a home office or reading room. Buyers want to see themselves living in the property and this helps them to do that. Great Lighting: Great lighting is a must when you’re staging your home for sale. You can flood a room with natural light if you put mirrors on the walls opposite light sources. Also, make sure you include table lamps and floor lights in your rooms as that creates ambient lighting. Never use the light in the middle of your room as your main source of light as it won’t show your room off to its best. Go Neutral: If you’ve a bright pink room or have invested in wallpaper that has a unique pattern then a fresh lick of paint can go a long way. Off-white, creams and neutral soft greys can transform your home into a modern fresh canvas for a potential buyer. If you do want to be a bit bold then please make sure it’s only on a feature wall. Use Your Garden: Fancy flowers and floral arrangements can be pricey but you can get the same effect with a simple bunch of flowers from the supermarket or by picking some flowers from your garden. Just keep the arrangement simple and throw in a little bit of colour. Flowers can instantly bright up a room. Quick Kitchen Facelift: Give your kitchen an instant facelift by painting cabinet doors or drawers or by vinyl wrapping them. It’s a cost effective solution and the results can be incredible. Also, tackle your bathroom by freshening up the grouting or sealant for quick results. Finish Those Repairs: Unfinished home repairs can really put off potential home buyers. If you need to touch up the paintwork on a chipped banister or replace a wonky door handle then please do it. Don’t give a buyer ammunition to negotiate a lower price for your home. So finish those repairs you’ve been meaning to do for years and you’ll reap the rewards. Clean Your Home: We’ve saved the best for last because this is the most important tip- clean your house from top to bottom. A dirty house is a massive turn off for potential buyers. Make sure your home is spotless, scrub the kitchen and bathrooms and eliminate any odours- especially if you’ve pets or smoke. If you can afford it then get professional cleaners to come in and blitz the place, as buyers want a nice, fresh welcoming home they can see themselves building a life in. So, there we have it, just a few simple, affordable tips that can make a huge difference to the sale of your house. Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a FREE home valuation.
6 Ways to Sell Your Home Quickly at Christmas
Christmas is a magical time of year. However, if you’re trying to sell your home during the holidays, it can also be a bit stressful. After all, most people are more focused on spending time with family and friends and enjoying the festive season than they are on buying a new home. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help make your home more appealing to potential buyers during the holiday season. From decorating your home in a festive way to offering incentives, there are plenty of ways to make your home stand out from the rest. Here are 8 tips for selling your home quickly during the holidays: 1. Get your home in tip-top shape: This is the time of year when buyers are looking for move-in ready homes. Take care of any outstanding repairs, give your home a fresh coat of paint, and make sure the landscaping is neat and tidy. 2. De-clutter and de-personalise: Buyers want to be able to envision themselves in your home, and that’s tough to do when your personal belongings are everywhere. Put away family photos, clear off countertops, and make sure closets and cabinets are organized. 3. Stage your home for the holidays: This is the time of year when people are looking for cozy homes they can settle into for the winter months. Make sure your home looks warm and inviting by adding festive touches like holiday decorations, scented candles, or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter. 4. Highlight any special features of your home that would be perfect for the holidays: Do you have a fireplace? Mention it in your listing! Is your kitchen big enough to accommodate a large Christmas dinner? Be sure to mention that as well! Whatever makes your property unique, make sure you highlight it so that potential buyers can see how perfect it would be for their holiday needs. 5. Create Great Kerb Appeal: First impressions matter, especially when selling your home during the holidays. Take some time to spruce up your curb appeal with festive holiday decorations. This will help make your home more inviting and appealing to potential buyers. 6. Offer incentives for buyers who close before Christmas: If you’re really keen on selling before the holidays, offer incentives such as paying for moving costs or offering a gift card to a local restaurant or shop. This can help sweeten the deal for potential buyers and make them more likely to put an offer on your property. 7. Price it right: In today’s market, buyers are looking for a great value. If you price your home too high, you’ll likely sit on the market for months with no offers. Work with your agent to come up with a competitive asking price that will attract buyers but still allow you to get the return on investment you’re looking for. 8. Be flexible with showings . . Within reason, of course: With families busy during the holidays, you might need to be flexible with showings so buyers can see your home when it’s convenient for them. Being flexible with showings doesn’t mean you have to let just anyone in at any time—screen buyers beforehand so you only allow serious potential purchasers into your home. Selling your home during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful—with a little extra effort, you can make it happen quickly and smoothly! Just remember to declutter and deep clean before putting your home on the market; create kerb appeal with festive holiday decorations; stage each room strategically and price your home competitively. By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to selling your home before New Year arrives.