I get asked this question weekly especially as November approaches….this article nicely puts it. In my opinion the 4th Quarter has produced top selling results especially when your home is in great showing condition. The decorations and smells of the holiday season only help to provide warmth and great vibes to any buyer. We certainly don’t have weather restrictions like snow and hail in Miami! If anything the holiday months provide the best real estate shopping weather. Buyers want to walk outside and take the time to view the yard since the climate is not so hot and humid. Plus, holiday months are the time when we have an influx of tourists from cold weather that also want to buy real estate in South Florida.
Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?
by Blanche Evans
Realty Times
When you look at your November and December calendars, you may find the months are already overloaded with seasonal obligations: shopping, entertaining, children’s pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in “showing” condition. That could be the last thing you need before your holiday spirit is broken, so it is understandable that you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. The list of justifications is long. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?
But wait! Top selling Realtors say taking your home off the market during the holiday season is a mistake. The house sure isn’t going to sell if it’s off the market! Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things. The holidays are my best-selling period. Why? Because most people take some time off from work during the season, especially if they are thinking about buying a home in the area. I’ve even shown homes on New Year’s Day. I like working during the holidays because buyers have more time, and couples can look at homes together.
Before you take your home off of the market, consider the following points: Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking for a home during the holidays are that much more serious. Top-producing agents believe the home market is no more affected at the end of the year than during other times. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrated on spring weddings and graduations, summer vacations and back-to-school activities.
Relocating families often don’t have a choice in when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families transfer during the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get settled. If you sign a contract by New Year’s Eve, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Preparing for the holidays is one of the most enjoyable aspects of family tradition. Allowing buyers to view your home offers an exciting vision of their own family celebrations in the attractive environment you have created. When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your buyers will be impressed. Get the family on board to do a five-minute blitz every morning to keep clutter to a minimum.
With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have the entire Multiple Listing Service on your team. You may even find you have more showings than you would if you had waited to market your home at another time. When you sign a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn’t an option, you can suggest the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time, and closings are often negotiable.
I hope you found this article helpful. Call me to discuss if you are considering selling at 305-807-9199.