Selling or Buying a Home During Holidays: Give Yourself Some Grace

We are smack in the middle of the holi-daze, a crazy time of year. Many people get frazzled or overwhelmed as they juggle the holiday expectations, gifts, visits, baking, decorating, keeping the pets (and kids) off of the tree, and let’s not forget work and all the other daily ‘things to do’. Then there’s juggling of the different holiday events for friends and family, trying to figure out where Christmas Eve or Day is going to be like some demented form of holiday Tetris! Life is busy, and sometimes something must give a little, even if it feels like it’s our sanity.

One of the first things a client says to me when they want to sell their home is, “My house is such a mess right now! Are you sure that you want/need to come over? We can meet somewhere else?” First, yes, I want to come over. I need to see your home so I can compare it with comparable homes that are for sale, pending, and recently sold. This is how we come up with a price range that will take you to your next adventure. It also helps me see if there are any visual items that might need to be repaired, or what we can do to help your home better present itself on the market.

We think we’re supposed to have a spotlessly clean home like we see on TV, as if our home is going to ‘magically’ stay clean for longer than 15 seconds. If you are coming to see my house, give me a week’s notice so I can get it clean, but if you are coming to see us… you will leave with pet fur on your clothes and a full belly. Homes get lived in. Very few homes look like they do when they are on the market. Give yourself some grace. I remind clients of this quite often.

During the listing appointment, we will go over how showings work and how you can get ready to show your home. For many sellers, especially those with pets and/or children, or those who work from home, Next Day showing appointments can be a lifesaver. With next-day showings, you don’t have to try to keep your home spotless every day.

BUYERS
• When the home is owner-occupied, they most likely cannot do a short-notice appointment. Many homes will have “next day appointments” instructions. Let’s plan a day to look at homes and I will set up an appointment.

• When we have an appointment to show a home, please know that the seller worked hard to make the home the best it can for you. Nothing is worse for a seller than when the Realtor and their buyers don’t show up.

• Most homes will not have a listing photo of the garage interior. It most likely has most of the seller’s belongings in it. I know the garage is important and we will see it when we are at the showing.

• Wear easy on/off shoes or be prepared to wear shoe booties when we are showing homes.

• When the home is occupied or staged for showing, we want to be respectful of the sellers and treat their home and belongings accordingly. Open the cabinets, check out the pantry, look in the closets, open the crawlspace access… as long as you don’t move the seller’s stuff to do so.

SELLERS….
• It is stressful selling your home and letting strangers walk through it. Your Realtor will do everything they can to make it as easy as possible for you.

• Please remove all, ‘sensitive’ items from public view. Some of these items may be medicines, jewelry, important papers with sensitive information, valuable items, equipment, and/or sharp items that could present a danger.

• Talk with your Realtor about your showing ability. Some people are good with only a few hours’ notice, but not everyone. Most people want to see the home on the weekends or after work hours, but it’s fine to put a timeline on your showings.

• Most Realtors have professional photographers to take photos of your home. It really does make a difference.

• Remember that your home looks like the majority of homes on a regular basis. There is stuff on the counter, toys (for either the 2-legged, or 4-legged babies) on the floor, bathrooms need to be cleaned, clothes that need folding. Give yourself grace, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Happy Holi-DAZE and all the joy, chaos, messiness, family, friends, and memories that brings you. Here’s to 2025!