Message from the President
by Rebecca Van Dorn
Winter Can Be a Hot Time for Sellers
The forecast for the start of the holiday season this year looks bleak as cold air and snow move throughout much of the country. This type of weather report will likely give people more reason to stay indoors during the holidays and not venture outside for much other than holiday parties or a family outing to buy a Christmas tree.
The cold winter months can also keep potential home buyers and sellers out of the market until the snow starts to melt and the spring season begins to bloom. Home sales volume is normally higher in warmer months, with 40 percent of all homes sold last year during the summer.
Yet, there still proves to be advantages to selling a home during the winter, mainly due to inventory shortages and motivated buyers often willing to pay a higher price. Selling your home around the holidays can pay off, but keep in mind, preparation is still needed for your home to stand out to potential buyers.
According to the National Association of Realtor’s® 2017 Profile of Home Staging, nearly 80 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. For homeowners interested in selling their home this winter, here are some typical listing and staging tips to keep in mind in the spirit of the holidays.
Deck the Halls. It is important for potential buyers to imagine themselves celebrating the holidays in your home, so it is a good idea to decorate for the season when opening your doors for interested buyers. “When hosting an open house, consider lighting the fireplace, festively decorating or hanging lights to showcase a holiday vibe to which buyers can relate. Also, ensure your home is kept at a warm temperature so potential buyers are comfortable when they walk inside from the cold.
Don’t invite Jack Frost. Alongside adding holiday decorations to the exterior of your home, make sure to shovel your driveway and sidewalks and clear snow off any decks or patios. Potential buyers should be able to easily access your home without the danger of slipping on ice or tracking in snow. Also, remove any icicles or built-up snow from your roof, so that your home looks clean and ensure your “for sale” sign is easily visible in your front yard.
Work with a RealtorÒ. Be sure to work with a RealtorÒ, a member of the National Association of Realtors®, who can share more tips for listing your home this holiday season.
As your president, I am available, 24/7/365 so please feel free to email me.
Holiday Message from your Education Committee
Come home for the Holidays!!
Here is a message from your Education Committee Members on the NAR Code of Ethics Requirement.
Thank you to Diane Strawbrich, Amber Wesser, Rose DeGeorge, and Mary Jane Zak for starring in this video!
Join us for the BNAR Inaugural Event
All members are invited to the BNAR Inaugural Event on Friday, January 11 at 5:00 pm at Hotel Henry. The ticket price will remain the same at $75.00 per person. Join us for the Inauguration of Eric Winklhofer as our 2019 BNAR President; Donna Littlefield as our President Elect; Brendan Cunningham as our Secretary/Treasurer; Amber Wesser as our Vice President and Rebecca VanDorn our Immediate Past Presidents and the installation of our newly elected Directors and award presentation to the REALTOR and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE of the Year. Please register through Members Services in your MLS Portal.
Committee Sign Up for 2019
Do you want to be involved in the decisions that affect your business or livelihood or maybe you would you rather participate in planning activities? Join up for a committee. The link to the form is on the BNAR website homepage or by following this link. BNAR committees will be organizing in January so be sure to get your form in by the end of the year.
