Holiday Season: Best Time of the Year to Sell a House

It’s finally here!  The season of sweaters, hot cocoa, bonfires, and indulgent banquet-style food spreads.  Football games and carols are the background sound for your daily life.  You may be tackling family obligations, out-of-town guests, and in-laws.  Not to mention, you are still putting the finishing touches on your holiday décor while completing your shopping list for gifts this year.  With all that’s going on, it doesn’t seem like adding on one more project would make a lot of sense.  However, if you are considering listing your home for sale, here are a few reasons why the holiday season is a great time to do it! 

CURB APPEAL 

Holiday lights bring a feeling of cheer to both kids and adults. No need to worry about that perfectly landscaped lawn (though it should still look good!) when the attention will be on the inviting holiday lights, evergreen, wreaths, garlands, window boxes, and any other way you traditionally light up your home with a festive facelift.  This feeling of comfort transfers from the outside in, so make sure your interior is tastefully appointed with holiday décor.  Bake up some gingerbread men for good measure to fill your home with the scent of the holidays to create a warm, comforting atmosphere when potential buyers come through.   

LESS COMPETITION 

The real estate market has been plagued by low inventory for the past two years.  This scarce selection works in your favor as a home seller even more so during this time of year.  Because very few people list their houses during the holidays, it will increase your listings interest and traffic.   

SERIOUS SHOPPERS 

Conversely, because there may be fewer buyers in the market during this time, but those who are house hunting are serious buyers.  They aren’t the type you find in the spring when there are more listings and countless “Lookie Lou” types out there.  Those buyers are out touring every open house under the sun every weekend.  The buyers who are looking during the holidays are doing so because they  need  to buy now.  They are not just out window shopping for houses in inclement weather.  Serious buyers with an immediate need paired with a limited inventory of home choices available during the holidays put the seller in a position to earn top dollar for their property. 

Chances are you will be with family, so it can be a good time to discuss the possibility of listing your home for sale.  Family who currently lives out of state may already know people who want to move back to your neighborhood.  Many people may be going through a job transfer and will soon become a transplant to your area.  On a sensitive note, people are generally in a spirit of giving and more emotional during the holiday season.  This time of year, makes people more contemplative and thoughtful about where they want to land and raise their families.  Because buying a home is an emotional decision, selling your home during the holidays can work in your favor.  It may just be your buyer’s New Year’s resolution to become a homeowner!  Last, consider saving yourself some of the commission payment and put those savings towards seasonal gifts by enrolling in one of our real estate agent courses.