Patch Blog: Home for the Holidays

Over the years, many people have asked me whether houses sell during the holidays. 

While the answer is never clear-cut, I have found that when buyers are out looking at houses in November and December, you can pretty much assume that they are seriously interested in making a home purchase.  I once told a seller who wanted to list their house on December 4th, that they would probably have to wait until the New Year to get a buyer into escrow.  No sooner did I put their house on the market, they received an offer in four days and closed before the end of the year.  So much for that train of thought!  So now I tell sellers that anytime is a good time to sell.

Houses come on the market for many reasons, such as death, divorce, job relocation, retirement, etc. , so it's not all that unusual to sell a home in November or December.  As a seller, if you decide to list your home at the end of the year, you should take into consideration that many buyers like seeing houses decorated for the holidays.  It gives them a chance to envision their future holiday gatherings instead of having to imagine what their celebrations will be like next year after they've moved in. 

That being said, it is probably better to follow the rule of "less is more."  In other words, don't over-decorate. If you put up a tree that takes up half your living room,  that won't give a buyer a sense of space.  Be conservative about what you put out, but make your home as welcoming as you would at any other time of year without going over the top. 

In some of Monrovia's neighborhoods, the .  Make sure you still participate so that buyers see it's a collaborative effort and they're not surprised that they are expected to continue the tradition.

Buyers who are in the market for a home are usually focused on finding something no matter when they are looking.  If you are still searching for that perfect place during the holidays, you may find there is less inventory, but sellers may be more motivated to make the sale work.  Keep in mind that the holidays affect closing because lenders,  title and escrow companies are closed for several days at the end of the year. Buyers need to schedule their close of escrow to accommodate the lender's ability to fund loans and the seller's desired move out date.  Be flexible on your demands of everyone involved and you'll be sure to get your escrow closed with fewer hiccups.

When all is said and done, the holidays should not deter you from selling or buying a house.  If the time is right, you can make it happen!

Happy Holidays!!