Should I Put My House on the Market During the Holidays?
Every year, right around Thanksgiving, I am asked the same question: Should I put my house on the market during the holidays? Actually, people usually say something more like: Now isn't the best time to put my house on the market, is it?
Of course, sellers have already assumed that the holiday season is NOT a good time to try to sell their homes, and they are looking for agreement from me. I don't agree with them, and here is why:
Less Competition
Many people don't want to be bothered with showings around the holidays so they take their homes off the market. As a result, inventory levels drop. So if you do decide to sell, you will have less competition.
Relocations in the New Year
People accept new jobs starting right after the first of the year, and they will need to find housing before hand. Those who transfer into an area must get settled, and that often means that they will be out looking at houses during the holidays. They could be looking at yours.
Serious Buyers
Casual buyers and career lookers suspend their viewing activity during the holiday season, so the buyers who are out there are more serious. You may not get as many showings, but those who do schedule a showing are more serious. They are looking because they have to.
Holiday Ambience
Everyone knows that people buy the house they can see themselves living in--in other words, they buy a home. Nothing makes a house seem more like a home than tasteful holiday decorations. Soft lighting, holiday fragrances, and beautiful decor will help them envision themselves there for the next holiday. Sellers can take advantage of the nostalgia during the holiday season.
Flexibility in Showings
Many sellers are worried that someone will want to see their home when they have a holiday gathering planned. Buyers and their agents know that holidays can be busy times in general, and they tend to be more flexible about showings. Sellers should know that it is OK to work with buyers' agents to schedule a showing that isn't disruptive.
Avoiding the Spring Rush
Spring is, hands down, the most popular time to list a home. Those who choose to put their homes on the market now will beat the spring rush. Inventory levels are high in the spring, competition is fierce, and the lookers come out in droves to check out landscaping ideas. You will avoid all that if you put your home on the market during the holidays.
Of course, now is not the time for everyone to list, but if you need to sell now, don't be fearful of putting your home on the market during the holidays. The holidays offer some great advantages. People do buy homes during the holidays, and yours may just be one of them.
Did you enjoy this post? Click here to subscribe to my blog by email.
Peggy Chirico, REALTOR®
Serving the Greater Hartford Area
Prudential CT Realty
peggychirico@gmail.com
860-748-8900
If you are buying or selling a home in Hartford County or Tolland County, please call me, email me, or visit my website. I would be happy to help you with your home search or provide a market analysis for your home.
Find your dream home now!
Good morning, Peggy....nice post....this is a fine time to put a home on the market....the home is decorated for the holidays and potential buyers can imagine their own families celebrating together in the home....people buy all year round....
In a word absolutely ! Who doesn't love a house even more when it's "all dressed up for the holidays" !
Real estate sells year round because people's lives, with retirement, relocation, job loss, divorce and expanding family or poor health means we need to have a new, or bigger, smaller house (or other type of real estate to fit a new need.) CAUTION: Go easy on the festive holiday ho ho ho theme if it's February and time marches on in the marketing. You date the property with the Halloween, Holiday, whatever theme. Get there before the decorations for a set, return after your holiday hooplah for a new set without Santa and his rouwdy reindeer and elves.
Peggy, I agree with the points of your post. Though I am predominately a real estate auctioneer, it's basically the same. I've done some of my biggest and best deals between November and January, with major snow and all. For me, if I have to pick a less desirable time to sell it would be August. Soooooo darn hot, with the dog days of summer, and people just don't seem to move too quickely.
Great post
The Colonel
Hi Barbara - Exactly! Some people think that real estate comes to a screeching halt in December and that is not true!
Hi Sally and David - Houses tend to look great this time of year!
Andrew - You are so right about tasteful and timely decorations!
Rodger - Interesting comment about August - I wouldn't have thought of it that way!
Hi Peggy - I completely agree with your reasoning. Mary showed a home on Thanksgiving morning and wrote an offer on Sunday. People buy homes every month of the year here, and December and January are usually fairly busy months for us (interestingly, August is always our slowest). So we always encourage our sellers to put their homes on the market as soon as they can get them ready.
Peggy, I fully agree. I told one of my customers to decorate their home for the holidays and enjoy. Just me ready to show. Listed it at the right price and it will sell. Suggested
Hi Dick - Wow, Thanksgiving morning? As you said, people buy houses all year long!
Hi Frank - Thanks for suggesting!
This is right on. We have a listing that went under contract in a large subdivision last week after 2 weeks on the market. One reason is that there was only one house to compete with. In May there will be a dozen if history holds true.
Peggy -- I don't agree with them either. I bought my house in December and word has it that the owner was going to withdraw during the holidays because she didn't think anyone would look at the house. Good thing she didn't!