Why is the Christmas Season a good time to sell your home?

Should you consider putting your house up for sale around the holidays? Here are 5 reasons why the holidays are a good time to sell a house.

1. There’s Less Housing Inventory During Winter

One reason is the lack of competition during the holidays. Many sellers don’t want to list their houses just before or during the holidays—some don’t want people tracking in snow and dirt during each showing, while others just want to enjoy the holidays as family time. Whatever the reason, don’t discount the holidays. Serious buyers won’t have an endless list of homes from which to choose, so there’s more time for them to focus on yours. Furthermore, the limited range of options available to buyers means you may be able to command a higher asking price for your property.

2. Winter Buyers Are More Serious

Most open houses take place during the spring and early summer. It isn’t unusual to see people saunter into a property without a clear plan to buy. But if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy. Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer—they aren’t going to spend their precious time around the holidays seeing how the other half lives. This can often result in a quicker sale.

3. That Warm and Cozy Feeling

The holidays are often a time when people gather around fireplaces, drink hot chocolate, and bake cakes and cookies. Homeowners who put their houses up for sale during the winter months can stage their house to give off the comfy and home vibe that appeals to many buyers. Some people may argue that showing a house in the winter is hard to do because there’s snow on the ground, the house is drafty, and the curb appeal is lacking. But turning the heat up, having a yummy treat in the oven, and keeping the sidewalk and driveway clear of snow and ice can boost a home’s appeal.

4. Festive Neighborhoods Are Inviting

One of the staples of the holiday months is that many people adorn their homes with festive lights and decorations. That is also true of local communities where lit-up snowflakes and wreaths can be found on lampposts up and down the main streets. People purchasing a home during that time may see the neighborhood in a different light—more festive and cheerful—and may be more willing to consider an area that they may have been on the fence about.

5. Year-End Job Transfers

Another good reason is timing. The end of the year is typically the time when people get notified they will be moving because of a job transfer, or perhaps an offer comes through from another company that’s just too good to pass up.Those people are going to need a home sooner rather than later and, as a result, they’ll be hunting for a new home during the holidays. 

Want more tips? Give me a call.

Isabel