Here are some tips for marketing your house during the holidays from Ilyce Glink, a nationally syndicated real estate columnist:
* Keeping the floors clean during the winter can be tough. If you can’t mop between showings, ask buyers to remove their boots and shoes and leave at the front door. Think about providing booties that can go over their shoes also.
* Keep things neat and organized on a daily basis. If you have children, use a large flat plastic catchall for household junk. When it’s time for a showing, stow the box under a bed or put it in the trunk of the car.
* Don’t overdecorate for the holidays. A few decorations here and there can add charm, but don’t overdo it or prospective buyers will notice the decorations and not the home. Try instead simple decor like a basket of flowers with a festive bow, fresh pine wreaths and boughs, and a smaller Christmas tree.
* Make your house available for showings on the buyer’s schedule, not yours. If you plan family gatherings at your home, tell the real estate agent that the house is not available during those days or hours.
* Remember, if three houses are available and seven are not, a buyer will see the three and may make a decision.