These are the reasons why you should list your homes during the holidays.

Don't be a Scrooge when it comes to listing your home over the holidays. This time of year, most people often think it’s better to just wait until after the holidays. However, there are so many reasons why you should consider listing your home over the holidays.

In our decades of selling real estate, sometimes December is our busiest month. One of the key reasons is that buyers tend to make emotional decisions when purchasing a home. They may consider facts and logic, but when they step into a home, it's all about emotions. And when does a home look better than during the holidays when it's beautifully decorated for family gatherings? You create that warm, family-oriented atmosphere in the home, and there's no better time to tap into a buyer's emotions than during the holidays. That initial emotional connection is crucial, and buyers then use their rational minds to justify the purchase. They fall in love with the home on an emotional level, and you can't underestimate the importance of that.

Another compelling reason to list your home during the holidays is that many sellers decide to wait until spring. However, when spring arrives, the market sees an influx of homes for sale, leading to increased competition. The more competition there is, the better it is for buyers. Listing during the holidays means you have less competition, increasing the likelihood of getting the price and terms you desire for your home.

Additionally, for about 20 to 25 years, I handled a lot of relocations, and companies typically release job opportunities in January when they set their annual budgets. People who are relocating need to find a new home before their new jobs start on January 1. Therefore, they actively search for homes in November and December. If your home isn't on the market, you risk missing out on these motivated buyers who have a deadline to meet. They are highly motivated to buy because they have no choice but to find a suitable home.

“Listing during the holidays means you have less competition, increasing the likelihood of getting the price and terms you desire for your home.”

Most buyers during the holidays are incredibly motivated. If they weren't, they'd be busy with holiday activities rather than looking at homes. These motivated buyers are often making a significant business move along with their home move.

I recently witnessed this with one of our clients, a relocation buyer who had to secure a particular house and was willing to pay above the asking price to guarantee it. Time constraints play a significant role, and the only way to make this work in your favor is to ensure your home is on the market when these motivated buyers are looking.

If you have any more questions about listing your home during the holidays or anything related to the real estate market, don't hesitate to call or email us. We’re happy to help.