Home Shoppers Look for Holiday Sales Too!

Home sellers often wonder if keeping their home on the market during the Holidays is worth the effort. In a recent interview with RealtyTimes, top-selling Realtor Jennie Ling says it may be one of the best times to sell:

• Buyer activity may appear to slow down, those who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious.
• Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful.
• Relocating families often don’t have a choice in when they can leave for their new destination and can be that much more motivated to get settled in before school resumes.
• With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you may find that you have more showings than you would if your marketed your home during a busier time of the year.

“The holidays are my best-selling period,” says Ling. “Most people take off work sometime during the season. So buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.”

“The market is no more affected at Christmas than during other ‘busy’ periods like spring weddings, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities,” Ling added. “Plus, when is a home ever more beautiful and inviting? Home owners have cleaned and decorated for family and friends, so homes will surely be good enough to impress buyers.”

And if the thought of having to move during the holidays discourages your sellers, Ling recommends including that in the contract negotiation: “Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.”

RealtyTimes article