It’s the happiest time of the year! And we hope you’re feeling the joy and excitement like we are. It’s the time of year to put aside our stress and celebrate with the people we love most. Today, we’re going to be focusing on everything Christmas and winter. So buckle up and get ready for a holly, jolly read.
Stress less
We know that it’s hard to get rid of stress entirely. But how do you balance the season with the stress? You know you don’t want to be too distracted to enjoy time with the people around you. And you also don’t want to let your for sale by own home fall into shambles.
One of the easiest ways to lessen stress is to lessen the workload. Tone back your work and showings a little during the holiday weeks. This will make less work for you, and in turn, make more time for you to be with your family and friends.
However, it’s not realistic to completely drop all your work while taking time to enjoy the season. Therefore, you need to invite Christmas into your FSBO home, so that you can’t get away from it. If you have paperwork to look over, turn up the Christmas music while you work. If you do work at your kitchen table, light up a few candles for ambiance. This will make work feel less like work, and more like something you enjoy.
Share the JOY
House showings are par for the course when selling. And if you truly want this house to sell, they’re also important – you never know which prospective buyer will turn into the buyer. So go ahead and make the best of them! Get started thinking of ways to share the joy and happiness of the season with your prospective buyers.
Everyone has childhood memories of coming in from the snow, red-cheeked and shivering. And of course, Mom greeted you with a cup of hot cocoa and made the world a better place in general. So, drawing on that memory, why not share a cup of something warm with every house viewer? Coffee, hot cocoa, warm caramel apple cider, or even tea are all great options. Even offer seasonal coffee creamers like peppermint mocha and frosted sugar cookie. You’re sure to make even more friends if you pass around a warm plate of gingerbread cookies as well.
“Deckorate” the halls
Nothing gets one into the Christmas spirit like decorating their house. This is a great way to make your house feel special to you and even more inviting for FSBO house showings. A wreath on the front door, a garland on the staircase railing, a tree in the corner of the living room, and lights over the doorways are all great options.
If you need an activity to get the whole family together, pick a DIY ornament and spend time crafting with the whole family. Even the kids will love getting glue on their hands and making something special to hang on the tree.
Host an open house
We all know how popular it is to host open houses during the holidays – gathering all your friends for cookies and conversations. But we’re going to reinvent the wheel here. Instead of just inviting your friends, have a “double” open house. Have a friend’s open house, and at the same time, have a FSBO open house.
This is an excellent way to get your friends together and also have home showings. You might even make new friends!
Invite all your friends and advertise your open house with a statement like this, “Open house this Saturday, 1-4 pm. Everyone welcome. Come to visit and to view the house for sale.”
Bake cookies, make special drinks, and simply enjoy the time with family and friends. You can even ask friends to bring cookies so that you have plenty to share. (You don’t want to run out!)
A small raffle is a fun way to get people more involved. Have people write their name on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl when they walk in the house. At the end of the open house, draw a name and have a small holiday surprise for the winner. (Note: just be sure you know and comply with the raffle laws for your locality).
Jingle sells
To wrap up this holiday article, it’s definitely time for…a FSBO Christmas song – to make you laugh and to brighten your home-selling experience.
There is no Christmas, like a FSBO Christmas
There is no Christmas
Like a FSBO Christmas
With your dad and mother
Sis and brother there
With the cars coming
For your home showin’
And the merry yuletide offer
In the air!
Christmas sales! Christmas sales!
Ringing loud and clear
Follow them, follow them
It’s been FSBO too long
There is no Christmas
Like a “sold Christmas”
Because that’s the time of year
To buy a home!
Be merry
As we wrap up this article, (and as we wrap up our Christmas gifts!) it’s important to remember that it’s always a good idea to spread cheer. At every showing, and during every phone call, be sure to pack your smile and your jolly attitude. A happy seller will make for a happier buyer! And while we’re on the topic of happiness, be sure to check out our recent article on how to “read” potential FSBO buyers. We wish you the best this holiday season!
