Home For The Holidays – Part 1: Should You Sell Your Home During the Holidays?
When you think of the holiday season, your mind probably jumps straight to twinkling lights, family gatherings, and maybe even a little snow in the air. What you probably don’t picture is a “For Sale” sign in the yard.
It’s no secret that most people associate spring and summer with “prime” real estate season, but it’s important to realize that selling your home during the holidays can actually be one of the smartest moves you make… if you approach it with the right strategy.
To debunk the idea that there’s no winter market in real estate, this blog series, Home For The Holidays, will cover:
Part 1 – Why Selling During the Holidays Can Be Smart + What To Avoid (You’re here!)
In Part 1 specifically, you'll learn why selling during the holidays can actually be one of the smartest moves to make AND 5 things to avoid if you decide to do so!
5 Reasons That Selling During the Holidays Can Be a Smart Move
Buyers are Motivated
Just because it’s November or December doesn’t mean buyers disappear. In fact, many people house-hunting during the holidays are highly motivated for various reasons.
Whether they need to relocate for work, want to close before the end of the year, or are ready to take advantage of seasonal market opportunities, those who are looking are often serious about making moves!
This is good news for sellers because when you list your home during the holidays, you can know that you’ll most often be talking to buyers who are serious instead of dealing with those who are just casually browsing.
Less Competition
During November and December, we generally see fewer listings, which means if you do decide to list your home, you’ll have less competition, making your home naturally stand out to buyers.
Instead of competing with a crowded market in the spring or summer, your home may be one of the few available properties, which can actually work in your favor!
Cozy Staging
When people are thinking about buying a home, they start to picture what their life will look like in it and this can really play to your advantage during the holidays.
During November and December, you can lean into strategic holiday staging that makes your home feel warm, inviting, and lived-in – all things that can paint the perfect picture for a potential buyer.
There’s of course some things you want to avoid when it comes to staging your home during the holidays (we’ll cover those in Part 2 of this series), but a few thoughtful holiday touches can include soft lighting and subtle seasonal decor without going overboard.
Overall, a cozy, well-staged home often leaves a lasting emotional impression that can motivate buyers to act.
End-of-year Tax Benefits for Buyers
Some buyers are looking to close on a home before the end of the year for tax purposes, whether that’s claiming mortgage interest or meeting other financial goals. This alone can create a pool of motivated buyers who are ready to move quickly.
Flexible Moving Timelines
Lastly, one of the hidden perks of selling during the holidays is that people’s schedules are often more flexible. Many buyers (and sellers!) have extra time off work, making it easier to coordinate showings, inspections, and even moving dates.
Plus, if you’re selling your home, you can often negotiate timelines that work best for your family, like closing after the holidays or giving yourself a little breathing room before the new year begins.
5 Things to Avoid When Selling Your Home During the Holidays
Overloading Your Home with Holiday Decor
Listen, if you’re selling your home during the holidays, you can still deck the halls, but it’s important to remember that toooo much decor can be distracting.
Buyers need to be able to see your home, not your personal holiday style, so it’s best to keep things simple and fairly neutral. A few tasteful touches, like a seasonal wreath or tablescape, are perfect. 🎄
Ignoring Curb Appeal
While spring and summer are of course the months where curb appeal will be most attractive, that doesn’t mean you should completely ignore your curb appeal during the winter months, especially if you’re expecting showings.
In the winter, make sure walkways are clear, driveways are shoveled, and any outdoor lighting is working. First impressions matter year-round, and nothing kills momentum faster than a slippery, dark, or uninviting entry.
Forgetting About Flexible Showings
The holidays are a busy time for most people, but if you really want to sell your home during the holidays, it’s important to be flexible with your showings schedule as much as possible.
Many buyers only have the chance to see homes on evenings or weekends, so make sure you work with your agent to set realistic boundaries that allow showings without disrupting your holiday plans!
Pricing Incorrectly
It’s easy to assume buyers aren’t willing to pay as much in the winter, but with motivated buyers and fewer listings, homes priced correctly can still sell strong.
To best determine how much you should list your home for during the holiday months, work with a trusted, local agent – they can help you run comps and set a competitive price, while still keeping things realistic for the season at hand.
Neglecting Professional Marketing
While it’s true that the winter months bring fewer listings, it’s still important to make sure that your property has a strong online presence and the best way to do that is to work with your realtor to take high-quality, professional photos of your listing and include detailed descriptions with the listing.
This can help your home stand out even more amongst the homes that are still hitting the market during the holiday season.
At the Real Estate Collective, we have a tried and true 3 step process that we follow when listing your home, so when you work with us, you won’t have to worry about skipping this step – it’s built into our selling process and trust us… it WORKS!
Ready to sell your home in Billings, MT?
Overall, selling during the holidays isn’t always right for everyone, but with the right strategy, it can be a smart move.
If you happen to be local to Billings, MT and are thinking about listing your home for sale before the end of the year, I can help you determine if it’s the right move for your home and guide you through every step of the process!
From pricing to staging to scheduling showings, a well-planned approach can make the holiday season work for you, not against you. CLICK HERE to connect and I’ll help you get started on the right foot!