If you are a seller with your house currently on the market the big question is …..Do I keep my house on the market through the holidays? The answer is……………..Absolutely! Why wouldn’t you? Sure, there is less time, added expenses, more social gatherings, responsibilities, guests, cooking, eating……oh and let’s not forget the snow in the North East! Yikes! These are just a few reasons sellers want to take a break from actively showing their property. Some think if they haven’t sold their house by the holidays then they should hold off until spring.  After all, the spring market is understood to be the busiest time for Real Estate. Maybe you could even re-list at a higher price! Well, if you are not in a hurry to sell, that is certainly a possibility. Of course, there are no guarantees as to what the market will be like in the spring.  So, if you have to relocate, or you are interested in making an offer on a house, then waiting does not make a lot of sense.

You have already decided to sell your house. Why stop now?  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, New Year’s, happen at the same time every year. If you are serious about selling, then you have to fully commit to the process. That means getting the full exposure your house deserves to be competitive. While a market slowdown is expected for a few months, there are still plenty of people who need to move and buy a home during this period. What that means for you:

• Less competition. Many sellers will take their house off the market for the season, while others are waiting for spring to list (when there will be a lot of competition!)
• More serious buyers. Anyone coming to look at your house in the winter is a serious buyer who wants or needs to find a new home.
• Much needed bonuses. Many buyers wait for their year-end bonus to make that big move and confidently move forward on the home of their dreams.
• Relocations. Many big companies relocate their employees during the first part of the year making it necessary for them to move and not wait until spring.

 

The bottom line: If you are motivated to sell your house and move on with your life, take advantage of these festive times to continue to present your house in the best possible way. Whether it is pumpkins and Mums in October, apple pies in the oven for November or lights in December, the addition of holiday cheer can be used to your advantage. So enjoy the holidays AND sell your house!