It's that time of year again. I'm not referring to the sparkly lights, the 'one for you, one-two for me' shopping, or the abundance of eggnog and fruit cake. I'm talking about the debate over whether to put a home on the market over the holidays.
Like clockwork, the debate comes around this time every year - some say yes, some say no - but both sides present a good case. We broke down some of the top Yes vs. No considerations so you can see more clearly the pros and cons of each:
| No! Wait to sell your home until after the holidays | Yes! Put your house on the market during the holidays
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| Buyers will think you are desperate. | Buyers are serious. |
| It is inconvenient. | It's going to be inconvenient anyway. |
| There is a smaller inventory, and you're less likely to find the right buyer. | There is less competition from other similarly priced homes. |
| It's difficult to close when everyone is on vacation. | Brokers, bankers and lenders are motivated to close, too. |
| You can put your home back on the market in January as a fresh new listing. | There will be more competition after the first of the year. |
| Don't decorate (it looks cluttered). | Festive houses show better. |
| Buyers are too busy shopping and visiting friends and family to look at homes. | Buyers have more time to look because they generally take time off over the holidays. |
If you're under the gun and need to sell sooner rather than later - then go for it. You'll feel better knowing you're doing everything in your power to get the process moving.
Whether you are home for the holidays, or preparing your home to sell, be sure to take the time to asses what's best for you and your situation.
