So how should you best market your home during the holidays? Take the same careful consideration as with any other time of year, but add a bit of holiday flair for warmth. Just don't go overboard a la Clark Griswold and the holiday lights in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

The fact is that homes look and feel warm and inviting when they are decorated for the holidays, and that's very appealing to buyers. You want buyers to picture their own family in the festive environment you've created. If it's cold and you have an open house scheduled, it can't hurt to have a fire going in the fireplace, hot cider at the door and even candy canes for potential buyers.

Most importantly, consider your selling price carefully and be realistic. When setting the asking price, ask your Texas REALTOR® to compare similar homes sold in the winter months/during the holidays. Many owners set their asking price too high because of comparisons with sales prices during peak seasons. Always try to compare similar properties sold at the same time of year.

Finally, if your home has been on the market for a while (more than six months), it's time to change your sales approach. Work with your Texas REALTOR® to figure out another strategy. Ask for a reassessment of the sales price; it may be too high for the current market. You may also want a new or updated marketing plan and an explanation of each activity.