DTLA LIFE MAG #12 | DECEMBER 2014 | Page 9

Happy Holidays Downtown Los Angeles. What a great season. We are getting ready for shopping events, skating in Pershing Square or at LA LIVE, new stores, new venues, new restaurants and a new year. Of course, some of us are still thinking about whether or not we want to sell our homes during the holidays. There are great reasons that the holiday season should be the selling season for you and your family. I have listed 10 Top reasons below: Top 10 Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays 1. Most people, homebuyers included, are HAPPY during the holidays! Happy homebuyers who need to move are attracted to homes that are warmly decorat- ed and inviting. From a basket of beautiful mums to the smell of cookies baking in the oven, buyers can get emotionally attached to your home if it invokes a sense of family and holiday spirit. (But don’t overdo it! Too much decorating can be a big turnoff!) 2. Less Homes on the Market = Less COMPETITION! Let’s face it...most home sellers like to wait until the “hot” selling season to put their home on the market. In Charlotte, the big selling season is in early spring. But why not get a jump on the compe- tition? When housing inventory is low, buyers will appreciate a home that is competitively priced and in tip-top showing condition. Your home may generate a lot of interest and even multiple offers, which typically means a higher sales price and better terms. 3. Holiday homebuyers are SERIOUS buyers! In my years of real estate expe- rience, I have found that some of my most serious homebuyers have looked for homes during the holidays. Some buyers are anticipating year-end bonuses that will pad their down payment. Other buyers may be relocating at the start of the New Year to start a new job. Whatever the reason, these buyers are motivated - they’re not out looking at homes for the fun of it in colder weather while holiday to-do lists are looming large! 4. Your home may look its best during the holidays! Imagine your home sur- rounded by the red, orange and yellow leaves of Autumn. Add a few pumpkins and some bright colored mums, and you’ve painted a vivid, nostalgic picture for many homebuyers! They may envision their own family carving a pumpkin or roasting a turkey with their loved ones gathered around. In December, the lights, wreaths, Christmas trees and wonderful smells will generate holiday spirit - and hopefully, a warm and fuzzy attachment to your home! Whatever your holiday traditions...they resonate with homebuyers! 5. Buyers will see your neighborhood in a new light! Another one of my favor- ite reasons to sell your home during the holidays is that homebuyers will get to see your neighborhood all spruced up. Lots of residents adorn their homes with lights, festive wreaths, candles and more - it’s fun just to drive through a neighborhood and get a feel for it during the holidays. (Hopefully you don’t have THAT neighbor who loves to overdo it!) 6. Tax benefits! Although tax benefits are not the main reason a person buys a new home, they certainly don’t hurt! Some homebuyers might be looking to buy before the end of the year for an added tax benefit. Check with your accountant to deduct such expenses as mortgage interest, points and property taxes. 7. More time off to look at homes! Homebuyers may be able to take a little more time off during the holidays to look at homes. Kids are out of school, and some families have more time to check out homes and neighborhoods - why not be one of the homes they want to see?