From my family to you and yours, we wish you warmth in your home, happiness in your days, and peace in your world during the holidays and always. Have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2009!

Best of success,

Mike Rozell

It seems to be a question that goes through every seller’s mind when the holidays roll around: Should I Take My Home Off The Market During The Holidays?  I think it is a fair enough question and certainly understand the temptation.  So lets think this through while keeping in mind the goal of Selling Your Home.  I love some of the thoughts pointed out in an article written by Blanche Evans.  Here are a few of the main excerpts:

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded by enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?

But wait! Top-selling Realtor Jennie Ling says taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. A vice president of the largest independently owned brokerage firm in Texas, Henry S. Miller, Realtors, and multiple Top Producer award winner, Ling exclaims, “The house sure isn’t going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you’re busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.”

“The holidays are my best-selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. I showed homes on New Year’s Day last year. I like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.”

Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:

Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Ling believes the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other “busy” period. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.

Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn’t a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.

Relocating families often don’t have a choice in when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68 percent of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either before the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year’s Eve, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

At Christmastime, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.

When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.

With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if your marketed your home during a busier time of the year.

If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn’t an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. “Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time,” Ling says. “Possession and closings are very negotiable.”

Mike Rozell ~ Realtor | Real Estate Agent
First-Class Service | First-Class Results
www.KennydaleRealtor.com

To find out the value of your home with a Free Market Analysis, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to House Values.

If you are considering purchasing, take advantage of my Home Search tool for direct access to all the currently “Active Listings” on the Multiple Listing Service.  Also, don’t hesitate to call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to Property Watch for ”New Listing” email notifications.

Mike Rozell ~ Realtor
First-Class Service | First-Class Results
www.RozellRealEstate.com

Join me for an OPEN HOUSE Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 1pm to 3pm and see what makes this home stand out amongst the rest and truly unique. Plus, ask about the new buyer bonus for accepted offer before December 31, 2008.

BETTER THAN NEW with over $100K in after-market upgrades. Exquisitely designed with timeless style and characterized by its lavish upgrades; skillfully tailored with every fairytale fantasy at heart. The symmetrical layout of the interior exudes class & comfort across more than 2,860 square feet which includes 4 bedrooms & 2.5 bathrooms. The upscale kitchen is perfect for any chef’s finest soufflé performances and is complimented with top of the line stainless steel appliances, slab granite countertops, glazed alder cabinetry, butler’s pantry with built-in dual-temp wine refrigerator and beautiful maple hardwood floors. The spa-like 5-piece master sanctuary boasts heated tile floors & towel racks, heated jacuzzi tub, waterfall faucets, river rock shower and galaxy star fiber optic lighting. Also enjoy the handsome office with french doors, high-end gallery lit hallways, generous bonus room, formal dining room with arched entries, living room and family room. Set amidst the serene backdrop of water, nature & territorial views, take pleasure in spectacular sunsets from your new private palace. For more details on this Renton Home For Sale go to: 3501 Wells Ave South Renton, WA 98055

To find out the value of your home with a Free Market Analysis, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to House Values and fill out your information for a Comparative Market Analysis.

If you would like a free list of homes For Sale in Renton, would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do or would just like more information about the area of Renton WA, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to Property Watch and fill our your information for New Listing Email Notification.

Mike Rozell ~ Realtor
Renton Real Estate Agent
First-Class Service | First-Class Results
www.MyRentonLifestyle.com

Join me for gourmet lunch & receive a bottle of red wine gift; while supplies last at, my BROKERS OPEN HOUSE Friday, December 12, 2008 from 12pm to 2pm. In the heart of Lower Kennydale your clients will appreciate this find. This Main Street Builders resale provides lake and mountain views, entertaining possibilities & acute attention to detail.

Characterized by its Northwest contemporary architecture and idyllic location, this home was skillfully tailored with timeless style and modern sophistication. The symmetrical layout of the interior exudes functionality and comfort across its spacious 3,180 square feet, asserting its effectual entertaining possibilities. The remarkable kitchen is perfect for any chef’s finest performances and is complimented with top of the line stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, cherry stained cabinetry, walk-in pantry and beautiful hardwood floors. The master suite is a sanctuary in and of itself boasting a gas fireplace, private balcony with lake views, five-piece bath and walk-in closet. Also enjoy a generous bonus room, four additional bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a handsome office with french doors, formal dining room with arched entries and an open concept living room. Set amidst the envied backdrop of Lower Kennydale, take pleasure in lake, mountain and spectacular sunset views. For more details on this Renton Home For Sale go to: 1100 North 33rd Place Renton, WA 98056

To find out the value of your home with a Free Market Analysis, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to House Values and fill out your information for a Comparative Market Analysis.

If you would like a free list of homes For Sale in Renton, would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do or would just like more information about the area of Renton WA, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to Property Watch and fill our your information for New Listing Email Notification.

Mike Rozell ~ Realtor
Renton Real Estate Agent
First-Class Service | First-Class Results
www.MyRentonLifestyle.com

Join me for an OPEN HOUSE Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 1pm to 3pm and see what makes this home stand out amongst the rest and truly unique.  Plus, ask about the new buyer bonus for  accepted offer before December 31, 2008. 

BETTER THAN NEW with over $100K in after-market upgrades.  Exquisitely designed with timeless style and characterized by its lavish upgrades; skillfully tailored with every fairytale fantasy at heart. The symmetrical layout of the interior exudes class & comfort across more than 2,860 square feet which includes 4 bedrooms & 2.5 bathrooms. The upscale kitchen is perfect for any chef’s finest soufflé performances and is complimented with top of the line stainless steel appliances, slab granite countertops, glazed alder cabinetry, butler’s pantry with built-in dual-temp wine refrigerator and beautiful maple hardwood floors. The spa-like 5-piece master sanctuary boasts heated tile floors & towel racks, heated jacuzzi tub, waterfall faucets, river rock shower and galaxy star fiber optic lighting. Also enjoy the handsome office with french doors, high-end gallery lit hallways, generous bonus room, formal dining room with arched entries, living room and family room. Set amidst the serene backdrop of water, nature & territorial views, take pleasure in spectacular sunsets from your new private palace. For more details on this Renton Home For Sale go to: 3501 Wells Ave South Renton, WA 98055

To find out the value of your home with a Free Market Analysis, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to House Values and fill out your information for a Comparative Market Analysis.

If you would like a free list of homes For Sale in Renton, would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do or would just like more information about the area of Renton WA, call me directly at 206.799.3414 or go to Property Watch and fill our your information for New Listing Email Notification.

Mike Rozell ~ Realtor
Renton Real Estate Agent
First-Class Service | First-Class Results
www.MyRentonLifestyle.com