Christmas is rapidly approaching. This holiday marks a time when families gather and almost everyone has a full house. Most sellers will not want to be bothered with having to keep the house in perfect condition for showings while family and guests are in town. Usually, sellers will choose to take the home off the market during most of the month of December. However, there are several good reasons why December may be a good month to keep your home on the market.
This is the time when most foreigners, families and friends will be visiting the islands. Everyone will be in great spirits and enjoying the wonderful Bahamian weather while back home is freezing. There's no snow shoveling and no winter clothing, but instead good food and great friends which make the perfect combination for an emotionally driven decision to buy a property in such a wonderful place. Another great reason is the fact that most buyers love to make New Year's resolutions and one of the most popular resolutions is to stop paying rent by becoming a home owner.
We will usually see people looking for a home during the month of December to be able to make a decision at the beginning of January. If you make a decision to keep your home actively on the market during this special time of the year, I will recommend you talk to your Bahamas Real Estate Association licensed agent who will be able to advise you on how best to stage your home for the holidays. If your home or apartment is small you will be better off minimizing the decorations by having a small tree and few decorations around your living room.
Small white lights and white candles are a good idea to making a place look warm and festive while still keeping it simple. Avoid life sized snow men, santas, reindeer and any other big decorations which will crowd the space making your home or yard look much smaller. Crowding your home and yard with decorations will certainly distract the buyer from paying attention to all the great features your property has to offer. Remember, by keeping your decorations simple and elegant, you will allow buyers of all ethnicities and religions to envision their own holidays in your home.
• Carmen Massoni is president of Bahama Islands Realty and has 18 years of experience in the real estate profession in The Bahamas. She has been the recipient of many international awards recognizing her as a top producer amongst her peers. If you have any questions or need real estate advice, call 322-7770 or email Carmen@BahamaIslandsRealty.com.
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