5 Ways to Make Your Home Shine During Holiday Showings
The holiday season can be a magical time to showcase your home to potential buyers. While people may be busy with festivities, the cozy ambiance of the season can be the perfect way to make your home unforgettable. If you’re planning to list or have showings scheduled, use these five tips to make your home sparkle and capture buyers’ hearts! 1. Deck the Halls…But Don’t Overdo It Holiday decor adds warmth and charm, but the key is to keep it tasteful and simple. Opt for a clean, classic look that enhances your home’s best features without overwhelming potential buyers. A well-placed wreath on the front door, a few twinkling lights, or a cozy garland on the mantel can add holiday cheer without stealing the spotlight. Pro Tip: Choose neutral holiday colors like silver, gold, or soft greens, which can appeal to a wider range of buyers. 2. Warm Welcome with Lighting Lighting can make a huge difference during holiday showings, especially with the shorter daylight hours. Use warm-toned lighting to make your home feel inviting, especially in entryways and living areas. Candles, string lights, and dimmable lamps create a cozy glow and highlight key areas of the home. Pro Tip: Place a few flameless candles in the windows or near the fireplace to create a festive yet safe ambiance. 3. Create a Cozy Fireplace Focal Point If your home has a fireplace, now’s the time to make it a showstopper. Arrange a few tasteful decorations on the mantel (such as a garland) and light the fire (or switch it on, if it’s gas) during showings to add a touch of warmth. This instantly makes the space feel inviting, and many buyers love the idea of a cozy fireplace in their future home. Pro Tip: Arrange a few comfy throws or pillows nearby to emphasize the relaxation potential of the space. 4. Seasonal Scents to Set the Scene The aroma of the season can be incredibly inviting, so make your home smell as good as it looks! Avoid overly strong scents and go for light, natural fragrances like cinnamon, pine, cranberry, or vanilla. You can simmer a pot of cinnamon sticks and orange slices on the stove before a showing or use a holiday-scented diffuser for a subtle touch. 5. Highlight Outdoor Spaces Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you should ignore your outdoor spaces! Show off patios, decks, or any unique features by adding a few subtle holiday touches. A strand of string lights, an outdoor wreath, or a firepit with a few logs can help buyers imagine cozy winter nights in the space. Pro Tip: If there’s snow, make sure pathways are clear for safety, and consider scattering some salt to keep it free from ice.
6 Tax Benefits of Buying or Selling before December 31st
The holiday season is a time for gift-giving, and if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, closing the deal before December 31 might just be one of the best presents you can give yourself. Along with the excitement of a new beginning, you could unwrap valuable tax benefits that can make a big impact come tax season. Here’s a look at some of the financial perks that await those who finalize their real estate transactions before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve! 1. Mortgage Interest Deduction: A Gift That Keeps on Giving For new homebuyers, one of the biggest tax benefits is the mortgage interest deduction. By closing on your home before the end of the year, you can deduct the interest paid on your mortgage in 2024. This is a particularly sweet benefit, as initial payments often lean heavily toward interest rather than principal. For example, if you pay a few months of interest by the end of December, you can claim this deduction when you file in April, potentially reducing your taxable income by thousands of dollars. It’s like adding a little holiday bonus to your bank account! 2. Property Tax Deduction: A Year-End Tax Saver When you buy a home, property taxes are generally split between buyer and seller based on the closing date. For buyers who complete the sale before December 31, any property taxes you pay in 2024 could be deductible on this year’s tax return, lowering your taxable income. Similarly, sellers can also benefit from any remaining property tax payments made before the sale. Since property taxes can sometimes be a significant expense, this deduction can be a helpful way to offset some of the year’s costs and keep more in your pocket—just in time for holiday shopping! 3. Closing Costs: Tuck Away Some Extra Deductions Closing costs may be daunting, but they come with their tax benefits. For buyers, some closing costs are deductible, such as any points (prepaid interest) you pay to secure a lower mortgage rate. By paying these upfront in December, you can claim the deduction right away on this year’s taxes, which can lead to substantial savings. While not all closing costs are deductible, these upfront points are a unique perk of buying before year-end, making it a smart choice for those who want to enjoy an early tax benefit. 4. Capital Gains Exclusion: A Special Gift for Sellers If you’re a homeowner selling your primary residence and meet certain criteria, the capital gains exclusion can be a significant holiday bonus. For qualifying sellers, up to $250,000 (for single filers) or $500,000 (for married couples) of profit from the sale can be excluded from your taxable income, provided you’ve lived in the home for at least two out of the last five years. This exclusion can be especially beneficial for sellers who’ve owned their home long enough to build substantial equity. By closing the sale before the end of the year, you can cash in on this tax-free gain and start the new year with a lighter tax bill—truly a gift worth celebrating. 5. Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction: A Winter Windfall for Buyers If your down payment was less than 20%, you might have to pay mortgage insurance premiums, also known as private mortgage insurance (PMI). But here’s the festive news: if you close before December 31, your PMI payments can be deductible on this year’s tax return, provided you meet income eligibility requirements. 6. Potential Tax Deductions on Moving Expenses (for Certain Buyers) If you’re buying a home and relocating for a new job, you may be able to claim moving expenses on your taxes. While this deduction is generally limited to active-duty military members, some states allow tax deductions for moving expenses related to job changes. Moving for a new job by the end of the year may mean you can deduct the costs of the move, so it’s worth checking your state’s regulations.
Thanksgiving Real Estate Selling Recipe
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s time to serve up something extra special—your home! Just like preparing a delicious holiday feast, selling a house takes the right mix of ingredients to create a recipe for success. So, grab your apron, and let’s get cooking on the perfect recipe for selling your home this season. Ingredients for Selling Success: 1 cup of curb appealEvery great dish starts with presentation, and selling your home is no different. First impressions matter, so spruce up the exterior with a fresh coat of paint, a well-maintained lawn, and seasonal touches like a festive wreath or pumpkin display. This ‘cup’ of curb appeal will have buyers hungry for more before they even step inside. 2 tablespoons of home stagingNext, we’ll mix in 2 tablespoons of home staging to make sure your home feels welcoming and lived-in—but not too personal. Neutralize the space with warm, inviting tones and declutter where needed. Fluff those throw pillows, light a scented candle, and arrange cozy throw blankets to give buyers that "just right" feeling when they walk in. A dash of market insightNo successful recipe is complete without knowing your audience. Sprinkle in a dash of market insight by researching your local real estate trends. Whether it’s pricing competitively or understanding buyer preferences, this will help ensure your home stands out like a well-seasoned turkey. 3/4 cup of professional photosThey say we eat with our eyes first, and the same goes for home buyers. Add in 3/4 cup of professional photography to showcase your home in the best light. Clear, high-quality images will have potential buyers clicking through your listing faster than you can pass the cranberry sauce. 2 teaspoons of declutteringYou’ll want to stir in 2 teaspoons of decluttering to help buyers envision their own stuff in the space. Too much "stuff" can be overwhelming, so remove personal items, knick-knacks, and excess furniture to let the home’s features shine through. 1 tablespoon of flexibilityNow for a key ingredient—flexibility. Whether it’s adjusting your availability for showings or negotiating with potential buyers, a heaping tablespoon of flexibility will help smooth the process. Buyers appreciate a seller who’s open to making things work, just like how everyone loves that one dish that caters to dietary preferences at Thanksgiving dinner. 1/2 cup of competitive pricingNext, carefully fold in 1/2 cup of competitive pricing. Your home is worth a lot, but it’s important to set a price that reflects the current market conditions. Consult with a real estate professional to determine a price that’s both fair and enticing—like the perfect balance of sweet and savory on your Thanksgiving plate. Garnish with festive flairFinally, garnish your home with a touch of festive flair! A subtle Thanksgiving centerpiece on the dining table or a fall-themed welcome mat by the door can give buyers that warm, homey feeling that’s perfect for the season. Instructions: Preheat your market approach by working with a trusted real estate agent to create a strategy tailored to your home. In a large bowl, combine curb appeal, staging, and decluttering until the home feels fresh and inviting. Slowly fold in professional photos and market insights, making sure everything is mixed together smoothly. Sprinkle in flexibility and pricing, adjusting as needed based on feedback from potential buyers. Serve your listing hot and fresh, and garnish with seasonal touches for that extra wow factor!
Categories
Recent Posts
