Should You List Your Home During the Holidays?

Contrary to what you may think, listing your home during the holidays is actually a very smart idea. Here are seven reasons why.

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While most people think that there are fewer buyers looking for homes during the holiday season, there are a few reasons why this time of the year is a great time to list your home. Here are my top seven reasons:

1. Buyers out looking for homes during the holidays usually have an impending reason to move. Because there will be less competition on the market from other home sellers, there will be a larger number of buyers who are serious about getting into a home quickly.

2. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays. Buyers want to be able to come in and see themselves in your home when it comes time for next year’s holiday.

3. Houses show better during the holidays. Your house will look better with holiday décor and buyers love to see this.

Buyers are more serious about finding a home during the holidays.

4. Buyers have more time to look at homes. Because it’s pretty common to take a few weeks off during the holidays, buyers will be able to take some time to make more prudent, rational decisions about purchasing a home.

5. Some buyers have to buy a home before the end of the year or before tax season ends. For a lot of people, this is a financial decision that they make under the guidance of their CPA.

6. Some buyers need to relocate before January. Because many new jobs begin in January, some buyers will need to be sure that they have a place to live and are settled in by November and December so that they can start work in January.

7. As a seller, you won’t have to move during the holidays. A good agent will be able to arrange a situation in which you close during December and then extend your occupancy in the house or get you a rent-back until you’re ready to move in January or sometimes even as late as February.

Don’t be tricked into thinking that buyers are only around during the spring or summer; lower inventory and less competition make the holidays a great to list your home. If you have the flexibility to be able to do this, give me a call or send me an email and I’d be happy to point you in the right direction!