Selling a Tamaqua Home During the Holiday Season

Should you keep your home on the market during the holiday season? Of course it's up to you, but do remember that those who are looking at homes instead of doing "holiday things" are likely to be serious buyers.

 

In fact, they may be out of area buyers who are transferring in to Tamaqua and need to find a home during their children's school holiday. This is generally not the time of year when "lookie-loos" go visiting homes just for something to do.

 

If you do decide to keep your home on the market, think about how you decorate, and do take precautions.

 

Decorating should be pretty, tasteful, and not overwhelming. You still want buyers to be able to see your home.

 

I've warned you before about putting small valuables away when your house is likely to be shown – extend that to small valuables that might be under the tree. The showing agent will do his or her best to protect your belongings, but if there are 2 or 3 people looking together, a small item going into a pocket could go unnoticed.

 

Which brings me to… Insist on appointments. Know who is going to be in your house and when. If someone comes to the door claiming to be an agent and asking for a tour, make them go back to your own agent and make the appointment.

 

It's sad to say, but people posing as agents and buyers could just be there to "case the joint" and see whether it's worth their while to come back when no one is home. (Is your social calendar posted on the kitchen bulletin board? You might be telling a thief just when it's safe to drop on by.)

 

If you're going to be away during the holidays (or any time your home is listed), tell your agent where you're going, when you'll be gone, and how to reach you while you're away.

 

Don't tell anyone else – especially not potential buyers and especially not friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc. (Well, you'd better tell your Mom and/or your kids - otherwise they might panic when they can't find you!)

 

Of course, the caution not to alert your social network holds for any time you'll be away – not just when your home is listed. More than one homeowner has returned home to find that thieves who read about their vacation on Facebook took good advantage of their absence.