Selling during the Festive Season

Selling your home during the festive season?

We know many people are away for the holidays. Capetonians pack their cars and off they go for a restful time away from work and home. BUT... if your property is on the market during this festive season, it may be the perfect time to dress up your marketing tactics or give your agent the freedom to host viewings or show days, and take full advantage of the Christmas spirit.

Remember, while the Capetonians are away, the Gautengers are here to play...and view property!

So, here are a few quick tips for marketing your property and hosting the cheeriest viewings to ensure that your property stands out from the rest.

Marketing Your Property During The Holidays

Festive staging & photos

Ask your agent to add 2 or 3 new photos of your home onto your property listing showcasing the decorations you have put up. A picture of your tree or Christmas lights creates that homey and festive cheer that can really capture a buyer's attention and create an emotional response. After all, buying a home is an emotional decision.

Brighten up your listing description 

Include holiday related content and sentences, such as "the best living room for hosting Christmas lunches", or "a cosy pajama lounge for Christmas movie marathons with the family."

Utilize social media to the fullest

Over the holiday period, buyers will have more time to scroll through social media. Send your agent a cute photo of your Christmas decorations in your home for them to share along with the link through to your listing. Send this on to friends and family, or add it to your WhatsApp status. The more people that see your listing, the better!

Show Days & Viewings During The Holidays

The purpose of viewings and show days during the holidays is not to mess with your holiday plans, but could mean that those who don't normally have time to attend show days will be able to attend. This could be an opportunity for more foot traffic through your property, compared to a viewing during the busy work year.

With that being said, here are a few tips for viewings & show days:

Holiday-themed show day

We recognise that hosting viewings or show days during the holidays may not be possible for all of our sellers, but for those who are able to, a show day may be the best idea. Potential buyers seeing the ON SHOW board can easily pop by after a shopping trip, or after visiting friends and family. And why not visit an inviting and decorated property if you are in the market for buying?

You can really let your imagination run wild with this idea...

Play some Christmas tunes

There's nothing quite like hearing the Christmas tracks of Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey to get you in the Christmas spirit. Music creates a relaxed and fun atmosphere, allowing potential buyers to take their time viewing the property, imagining themselves opening presents with their family in the space!

Offer festive snacks

You may have already seen some agents leave out a plate of cookies for viewers, but can you imagine a potential buyer entering a home with the smell of freshly baked muffins or Christmas mince pies in the air, or seeing fun gingerbread men cookies on the counter? Now that sparks an emotional response!

By implementing one, two, or all of these fun and festive marketing strategies, sellers and their agents can create a memorable impression of the property, which creates that emotional response we want this holiday season!

A final piece of advice: remain mindful and considerate, recognizing that not everyone engages in Christmas festivities.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday! We cannot wait to see you in the new year.

Written by: Hayley Kellerman