| It's not unusual for some people to splurge on | | | | in this time, make sure a Realtor is available to assist |
| expensive gifts during the holiday season. Especially | | | | you, and that you are aware that the houses you |
| for landmark occasions coinciding with Christmas - a | | | | see in this time may not be indicative of the "open |
| teenager turns driving age and is gifted with a car, a | | | | house" appearance sellers want you to see. Of |
| husband buys his wife a diamond anniversary ring - | | | | course, you could have the advantage of seeing a |
| one might feel the need to open his heart and wallet | | | | house in its busiest mode. |
| a bit wider. Surely somebody, somewhere has given | | | | For the Seller |
| or received a house as a gift. While a generous | | | | Holidays can be a very personal time, and if you are |
| purchase, it could lead some to wonder if it's smart | | | | in the midst of selling, you're bound to want to |
| to go house shopping during the busiest time of year. | | | | celebrate the holidays regardless. Decorating in |
| With Thanksgiving and Christmas so close together, | | | | accordance with your traditions and beliefs lends your |
| one will expect houses to be overrun with visiting | | | | house a "homey" atmosphere, yet it also exposes |
| relatives and other heavy foot traffic. For the | | | | more of your private moments than you may be |
| prospective homebuyer, this could mean a vacation | | | | willing to share with people who come to see your |
| from such activity until things settle down. For the | | | | house. Large decorations, too, can prove more of a |
| seller, there comes the question of how aggressively | | | | distraction then an enhancement. If you insist on |
| to market a home, or whether or not to temporarily | | | | keeping your house on the market for the holiday, |
| take the house off the market until the new year. | | | | try toning down seasonal decor and let the house |
| Either way, one should be prepared to negotiate. | | | | stand on its own. |
| For the Buyer | | | | Holidays are a time for connecting with family and |
| Depending on your holiday schedule, you may be | | | | celebrating your faith and blessings. For the |
| inclined to take a break from house hunting until | | | | homebuyer, finding a new place to live in this time |
| January. This is perfectly understandable, as some | | | | could be a blessing, and the same holds true for |
| agents may take vacation time this month, and | | | | somebody trying to sell. Know what you're getting |
| traditionally in the crush of the holiday season it can | | | | into during the busy holiday season and take care |
| be difficult to close a home sale in the last few | | | | when buying or selling a home. |
| weeks of the year. However, if you insist on looking | | | | |