Does conventional wisdom about slow home sales during the winter holidays make you fearful of putting your house on the market? Over the 12-month period from September 2018 through August 2019, 20 percent of home sale closings occurred between December and February.

What the winter buyer pool lacks in quantity, it makes up for in motivation. Make the holidays merry and bright with these helpful tips for marketing Beavercreek homes for sale.

1. Post Video Tours and High-Quality Photos
   When temperatures are low, people are less likely to spend a weekend touring homes and more likely to turn to online listings. An enticing video tour and beautiful photos designed to highlight your home's best features will create a desire to see it in person. It's generally worth the investment to hire a professional. If possible, use exterior photos taken in spring or summer.
   
   
2. Be Proactive with Maintenance
   Furnaces, hot water heaters, and other systems have a knack for going out at the most inconvenient times. Don't risk the chance of heat going out during a showing. Perform any necessary maintenance to ensure all systems are a go.
   
   
3. Don't Ignore Curb Appeal
   Snow and frigid temperatures are no excuse to ignore the outside of your home. With less cover from trees and shrubbery, exteriors stand out even more. Clean gutters, touch up paint where needed, and make sure windows are sparkling clean. Clear stairs and walkways of snow and ice for safety as well as aesthetic reasons.
   
   
4. Decorate in Moderation
   Holiday decorations help viewers picture themselves in the home, but items associated with a specific religion can have the opposite effect. Choose tasteful decorations with inclusive seasonal appeal.
   
   
5. Create a Cozy Refuge
   The smell of fresh-baked goods is a classic touch when showing a house. Have a roaring fire going, put out plates of holiday cookies, and offer cups of coffee or hot cocoa.
   
   
6. Consult a Professional Stager
   People spend more time "cocooning" during the winter, so it's even more important to make your home look like a desirable place to be. A professional stager can provide valuable ideas on arranging the rooms for maximum effect.
   
   
7. Add Exterior Lighting
   Shorter days mean less light, which makes it more difficult for buyers to get a good look at your home. Don't rely on holiday lights, which can come off as garish and off-putting. Flattering landscape lighting makes a home look more inviting while acting as a helpful safety feature. Consider switching to brighter light bulbs indoors as well.
   
   
8. Set an Accurate Sell Price
   Buyers who are motivated enough to look for homes during the holidays usually aren't interested in prolonged negotiations. Work with your real estate agent to decide on a fair and accurate sell price based on the current market and comparable homes. But beware of buyers who may take advantage of the time of year and submit a lowball offer, hoping you'll be desperate enough to take it.
   
   
9. Offer Incentives
   If you think a buyer just needs a little extra push, think about sweetening the deal with an incentive such as covering closing costs or installing new kitchen appliances.
   
   
10. Hire a Dedicated Real Estate Agent
    Selling a home over the holidays can be tricky enough. Don't handicap your efforts by going the DIY route. Hire an experienced real estate agent who will know all the best marketing tips and tricks and be available for showings.

Our REALTORS® would like nothing more than wrapping up a closing on your home with a big red bow. Contact us at Wright-Patt Realty, Inc. for help with all your real estate needs.