Good Reasons to List this Holiday Season

The local mall may not be the only place shoppers are looking this season
RISMedia
When clients have decided to sell their home, they are hesitant to place it on the market as the hectic holiday season quickly approaches. Don’t let them be. A common misconception is that listing a home during the winter months is a bad idea. Homes showcased during the holidays provide a warm, inviting listing environment that welcomes sellers and buyers alike.

“Most…markets do not hibernate in the winter,” said Rozanne Kurman, president of the Realtor® Association of NorthWest Chicagoland. “With fewer homes on the market and buyers who are motivated to buy, the holiday months provide an ideal time to list and get ahead of the spring influx.”

People who are shopping for a home during the winter months tend to be more motivated, serious buyers. Generally, these buyers are moving out of necessity so they are more likely to “buy now.” Showings can be much more valuable during the winter because you can cater to the motivated buyer and avoid those only casually looking for homes.

Many of these motivated buyers are employees relocating to a new area because of a job transfer. Since corporations often transfer employees towards the beginning of the calendar year, these buyers use the holidays to house hunt due to time constraints.

With holiday commitments, a limited supply of inventory and the necessity to relocate in the first quarter, many buyers are motivated to move quickly in negotiating their new home purchase. “In order to sell your home in a timely manner, help adjust your listing price to meet the seasonal market. A properly listed home will sell quicker and allow sellers to focus on friends and family,” said Rozanne Kurman.

Homes decorated for the holidays can showcase the inviting atmosphere a buyer needs to close a deal. When looking at listings, home buyers try to imagine their own celebrations in the home. They are also looking for something that is move-in-ready so seasonal decorations should accent the home’s features and not distract potential buyers.