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Jamie Kieckhefer 'Takes Five'

There's no place like open house for holidays

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Article Posted: Dec. 15, 2003

Selling a house can be stressful at any time of the year, but throw in the annual craziness that starts in November and goes through the new year, and a seller's blood pressure can really rise. Jamie Kieckhefer, a broker with Realty Executives Lakeshore, has been selling homes for about 18 years and has seen it all. He spoke to Journal Sentinel reporter Kelly Wells at an open house in Shorewood on Sunday and offered some helpful advice for homeowners hoping to sell - during the holiday season or any time of the year.

Q. Is it harder to sell a house this time of year?

A. Actually, I don't think so. It's a special time of year, the holiday season, and people are decorating their houses for the various holidays that they celebrate, and really, the warmth of the neighborhoods and the houses, I think, shows off even better. Typically what I've heard is, in (the Milwaukee area), November, December and January are three of the top months of the year.

Q. What advice would you give to homeowners who are looking to sell this time of year?

A. You've got to be prepared for wet weather. You've got to be prepared with extra rugs inside. It's recommended you have your Realtor make sure you have signs so that people take off their shoes during an open house, take off their shoes during the regular showing process, or provide little booties (that cover the shoes) for people to come through the house.

Q. What about having a Christmas tree or Hanukkah decorations or Kwanzaa decorations?

A. I think that's fine. I think people should decorate their house. I mean, they're selling their house, but they're living in the house. I don't tell people not to live in their house.

Q. What's the one thing people really should avoid when they're getting their house ready for a showing?

A. Messiness, clutter. They should have the house really clean - professionally cleaned or clean it themselves. People like to see a nice, clean house. And that reflects on the house, too, the way the house is taken care of. You want to present your house in its best possible light.

Q. What's your best tip for making a home look good?

A. Invite me in. I'd have to take a look at the house on an individual basis. Every Realtor has got different things that they're going to tell people. Have a professional come in and take a look at it, and then go from there.