As Christmas and the New Year fast approaches, all of us here at The Lore Group would like to wish all our friends, clients, and associates a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This year has been a great one for us, and it’s included both old, familiar faces, and new ones we are happy to have met and hope to work with again in the future.

Of course, we know the Fort McMurray real estate market doesn’t stop just because its Christmas, and you can always reach a member of The Lore Group throughout the holidays at the team phone number, 780-370-3325. And if you’re spending your holiday starting your search for a new home, bookmark our Fort McMurray real estate search tool where you can create saved searches, mark your favourite listings, and get notified by email when new homes that meet your search criteria are listed.

The Lore Group team hopes you have a fantastic holiday this year, filled with family, warmth, and fun, and look forward to helping you with any 2013 real estate adventures you have planned!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Susan, Jamie, Michael, Kelly, & Kyla.

The best part of the holiday season is remembering those who have helped make the past year meaningful both personally and professionally! The Lore Group would like to wish all our friends, associates and clients the happiest of holidays and a prosperous new year!

If you’re spending this holiday season looking to buy or sell a Fort McMurray home, don’t forget TheLoreGroup.com is still your source for all your Fort McMurray Real Estate information.

We look forward to helping you with any and all Real Estate transactions in 2012, and hope this holiday season is a fantastic one for you and your family.

Many real estate agents will discourage you from trying to sell your home during the Christmas holidays, but if you’re committed to having your home on the market there are some advantages to the season. Buyers continuing to view homes through December and January tend to be more serious, usually driven by impending life changes or relocation requirements. Since most sellers take their homes off the market over the holidays, there are fewer homes and the competition is less fierce.

If you’re continuing to market and show Fort McMurray real estate over the holidays, here are some tips to help give you an edge at Christmas.

Price your home right
Making sure you have the optimal price is most important during the holidays. With less buyers on the market you’ll want an experienced agent specializing in Fort McMurray homes with the ability to analyze current trends and statistics to make sure your home is priced competitively.

Go easy on the decorations
When you’re selling your home there is such a thing as too much Christmas cheer. If you’re home typically bursts with decorations during the holidays, scale things back as much as possible. Choose a smaller tree and keep the seasonal decor to a strategic minimum.

Pick decorations with broad appeal
Remember not everyone celebrates the same way this time of year, and you want potential buyers to be able to envision their own holiday traditions in your space. Go for winter and nature-themed decorations such as garlands instead of items that are linked to specific religious holidays.

Keep your space clutter free
Instead of a pile of gifts spilling out from under a tree, consider keeping wrapped presents out of sight in a closet until Christmas Eve or stacked neatly and unobtrusively in a corner. Prospective buyers are trying to get a feel for the size and space in your home: the more items you have on display the more cramped and small the space will appear.

Curb appeal over the holidays
Make sure your home looks its absolute best from the outside. Bare trees means more of your home is exposed to the street, so exterior maintenance is key. Scale back the scope of your outdoor holiday decorations: a few strings of lights can make your home look great this time of year, but large inflatable lawn ornaments are a distraction. Also consider safety: make sure to keep the walks and driveways shovelled and ice-free.

Use seasonal ambiance to your advantage
Create a cozy and inviting atmosphere when showing your home over the holidays. Turn on the fireplace, play soft music, and create pleasing aromas with greenery, holiday baking or warm ciders. Set a plate of cookies out for buyers to enjoy while viewing your space.

Be as flexible as possible with show times
Keep your schedule open during the holidays and be extra flexible when it comes to showing your home: Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone, and both buyers and sellers are trying to work around holiday events. The more willing you are to accommodate the buyer’s schedule the more likely you’ll garner goodwill and a good offer.