Homes during the holidays are some of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen. What a wonderful time of year! Homes for sale are decked to the hilt with festive trees, ornaments and family keepsakes. Expensive gifts are purchased and placed under the tree and often the home is filled with loving family members.
So, it's very common for home sellers to ask if they should take their home off the market over the holidays.
I have mixed feelings on this. I think it must be looked at on a case by case basis.
And, I believe there are so many factors that must be taken into consideration:
How long has the home been on the market?
Is it growing stale?
What is the sellers time frame? What is their target move date?
Are they motivated to sell or are they just fishing?
Will they be home over the holidays?
Do they have family members coming to stay in their home? For how long?
Are they still comfortably making their mortgage payments? Or are they past due? Is it a short sale?
I could go on and on.
I think there are pros and cons on whether houses should stay on the market over the holidays.
Pros:
Homes during the holidays often show beautifully.
Homes feel warm and inviting.
Out of town buyers are often in town, looking to relocate to the area.
If you must sell, it is important to keep it on the market. All you need is ONE buyer!
Cons:
Sometimes the house is in chaos, with getting decorations up, presents wrapped, etc.
Family members are often in town.
Expensive presents are in homes.
Scheduling for showings can sometimes conflict with your entertaining.
Money becomes tight and buyers schedules become full. So, many buyers temporarily drop out of the market, as they are spending money on Christmas presents. The market slows.
I have sellers here in Melbourne Florida ask me this question at this time of year. I really don't know the right answer to whether or not a home should stay on the market over the holidays. So, my question to you, is...
SHOULD SELLERS TAKE THEIR HOME OFF THE MARKET DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON?
This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR.
It is the exclusive property of, and may not be used without the written permission of Sandy Shores, Brevard County, Florida Space Coast. All information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted. Copyright 2008.
that for you
To be on the market or to not be on the market, that is the question. My inclination would be to take it off unless I had to sell and move. Then you come back on as a fresh face but make some improvements first, like listening to your Realtor about clearing out the clutter, right?
Hi Fred, Oh what a dilemma this one... I just don't know if there is one hard, fast rule that should be followed...probably not! I like your idea that if it comes off the market it comes back on as a "fresh face" - so true. Clearing out the clutter is good. Painting the house is good, etc - LOL. Listening to your REALTOR is really good!
Sandy, tough call. Holiday buyers are serious buyers. However, they are few and far between. Our MLS will drop the days on market-property count after 90 days off, so it can appear to be a fresh listing. If my sellers want to take the house off for the holidays, I let them do it.
Hi Sandy, I think you already said the most important thing- it is a case by case decision. If the house is beautifully decorated for the Holidays, it could definitely be a plus... and if not many buyers are out - how many disruptions to their lives could it be? The expensive presents might have to be hidden.. wrap up some empty boxes! and the Family heirlooms? If you want to sell the house, may need to be stored for this season only....
I have a friend who doesn't get a Christmas tree, but puts out her BLOW UP lighted Martini glass in the corner! Festive, but probably not a good selling point! :-)
Hope you enjoy your Holidays! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Sandy, Sorry no one could comment on this post earlier because I think it's a great topic. I have had great luck as a Buyer's Agent at Christmas time, but I always council my sellers about the problems that may arise during the season. I vote no take it off, enjoy the holiday...
Hi Rich, I think that you hit the nail on the head - holiday shoppers are serious shoppers, but there are few of them. Hmmm. So, we leave it up to the sellers? I think it is a case by case situation.
Hi Mary, You're cracking me up! I bet your friend that has the lighted blow up martini glass is quite a hoot at parties! I love a person with a sense of humor! Too funny! Like you said, I think the decorations are a plus. And, I suppose if there are limited buyers out, there may be limited disruptions - GOOD POINT! I never thought about wrapping up empty boxes - good idea! Thanks for the great feedback and I hope that you, also have a wonderrful holiday!
Hi Paul, I know we had a computer glitch today, so probably did lose a lot of possible comments. I also thought it would be a hot topic at this time of year. Wow, sounds great that you're had success at Chrstmas. So, you would leave the house on the market? - well thanks for the feedback and I hope that you are doing well!
Sandy - You bring up some very valid pros and cons. I, however, have always been a firm believer that you should stay on the market during the Holidays. We also get a lot of buyers that are going to be transferred - they like this time of year to scope out the NEW area and many times pull the trigger at that time.
Hi Leesa, Thanks for your feedback - that sellers should stay on the market during the holidays. I agree that transferees are a great reason to keep your house on the market over the holidays- so true! Thanks for stopping by!
Sandy,
Case by case is the way to go. If they are having the party and a crowd at their house, it might be better to take it off. I do think home show beautifully with all the decorations.
Ann
Hi Miss Ann, How are you today? Thanks for the input. I hope that you and your family have a WONDERFUL holiday and you make sure that you enjoy it (your brother would want it that way!)
Hey Sandy,
I am doing pretty well. I tried all day yesterday to post comments but I was not successful so I did other things. It is good to be able to make comments today. I am tired of cleaning!!
You have a fabulous Thanksgiving also!!
Ann
Hi Ann, So happy to hear that you are doing better - have a wonderful Thanksgiving and so happy that I have a friend like you here on Active Rain.
Sandy...
It really depends on the seller's time frame. I think a home decorated for the holidays often shows better too, and we actually see more buyers during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and that's important!
Sandy,
I hope your holiday was great. Mine was small but fun. The internet was down until this afternoon... so I felt disconnected...
Ann
I took my house off the market last Xmas thinging it would be slow. Not only did another one in my neighborhood go pending, it went for top dollar.... I could kick myself for taking it off!!!
Hi Richard, Thanks for the feedback. I think it does depend on time frame. If your area sees more buyers during Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'm with you....keep the house on the market!
Hi Ann, So glad that your holidays were enjoyable! I thought about you. Small but fun can be good! We really do lose our outside contact when we have no internet, don't we?
Colleen, OUCH! You just don't always know, do you? Oh, I can't say that I wouldn't have also been upset. You know, you could take it off the market this holiday season and maybe nothing in your area would sell - it's just one of those things that you never know! Don't be too hard on yourself! Did you eventually sell it?
Sandy,
I am lost without the Internet! The party was nice. My sister and I had fun laughing about "dumb" stuff.
Ann