Selling your home comes with a lot of preparation and decision making. One of those decisions being when is the best time to list your home. While most will wait till the peak home buying season in the spring, there are others who don’t want to wait. If you can relate with the latter then listen up because the holiday season may be a great time for you to list your home.
Pros of Listing Your Home During the Holidays
The holiday season can be referred to as October 31 to December 31 and shortly after. This is a hectic time of year for most people, so they choose not to list their homes. This may seem like a con, but this brings many benefits.
Sellers avoid listing their homes because they are too busy, however, this means your home will have less competition. Other pros are people have time off, and buyers trying to settle in a new home are more serious about closing a deal. Let me explain these a little further for you.
- There is much lower competition during the holidays. Since many people are holding off on listing there homes, you do not have to worry about too much competition from sellers. The lack of inventory may benefit you through the holidays.
- Buyers are eager to get into a new home. People are always moving and looking for a new home, and if they are looking in the winter, they are probably in a hurry to settle in. Sudden changes such as a new job, or an ill family member are common reasons for buyers to be looking during these months.
- Buyers have more time on their hands. Vacation days have added up and more people are taking time off during the holidays. You may find it easier to squeeze someone in for a showing than you would in the spring or summer.
Cons of Selling Your Home During the Holidays
We cannot have a list of pros without a few cons as well. Like I mentioned above, the holidays are hectic. Trying to close a sale in December can be a challenge. Lenders, escrow and title agents like to take time off during this time of year, so working around holiday schedules can be a hassle.
Other cons are the low offers from first time home buyers, the messy home you have to keep up with, and fewer buyers looking for homes. I will explain these further to help you understand why this is not impossible, but just a bit trickier.
- First-time homebuyers may think you are desperate during the holiday season and will try to negotiate or lowball the offer. Do not let this intimidate you. An experienced real estate agent will help you negotiate to get the price you deserve for your home.
- The holidays bring decorations and parties and gift wrapping, which are all a recipe for a messy home. It is important to keep decorations and activities in your home to a minimum to keep your home ready for a showing.
- The list of buyers has shrunk from the summer months. They may have a more specific list of needs that your home does not offer. Working with a realtor who has a broad list of clients is important, they may know someone who is perfect for your home.
- Holidays slow down lenders, and that is almost inevitable. Buyers will typically close in January, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get a great offer or even a cash offer on your home.
At the end of the day, having an experienced real estate agent on your side will help you sell your home in any season. Do not let the holidays scare you away from selling your home. If you are ready to sell in Rhode Island give me a call today and let’s get started finding you a buyer!
