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Should you take your house off the market during the Holidays?

By
Real Estate Agent with (909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com BRE# 01169000


Should you or shouldn’t you take your house off the market during the Holidays?

That is the question . . .

Rancho Cucamonga home on the market


The holidays are quickly approaching and you’ve got several social gatherings planned.  Your time is going to be short and your list of things to do is going to be long. To ease the stress of keeping your house in perfect showing condition all the time, you’re wondering if it might be smarter to take your home off the Rancho Cucamonga real estate market during the Holidays.


Should you or shouldn’t you take your house off the market during the Holidays?

Actually there are actually two trains of thought and each carries it’s own merit. I can give you half a dozen reasons why you should keep your house on the market during the holidays and just as many reasons to take it off.  It’s strictly a personal decision.  Some things to consider:

Why Take Your Rancho Cucamonga Home Off the Market During the Holidays

  • You're appealing to a much smaller inventory of Buyers 
  • It is inconvenient to always be ready to show at a moment's notice. Especially with kids out of school for the Holiday and out of town guest staying over.
  • It's almost impossible to close a transaction in December if the offer is received mid-month.

Why Leave Your Rancho Cucamonga Home on the Market During the Holidays

  • True there are typically fewer buyers during November and December, but the Buyers that are out there looking are motivated Home Buyers.
  • There are fewer Rancho Cucamonga homes on the market during the holidays. Keeping your house on the market could provide a competitive advantage.
  • Remember not all Buyers celebrate the same holidays.  

So as you can see there are as many pros and there are cons.  But if you decide to leave your Rancho Cucamonga home on the market during the holidays, here are a few things to consider:

  • You’ll want to keep the decorations to a minimum.  Don't cover up important selling features such as bright open bay windows, fireplace mantels and stairs.
  • Don’t dwarf the room with an oversized Christmas tree.
  • Decorate with splashes of red because red is an emotionally appealing color.
  • Use greenery such as evergreen or rosemary garlands.
  • Display centerpieces made from pine cones to provide a pleasant clean scent of nature.
  • Stack wrapped presents in a closet or securely in one corner.
  • Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for Buyers.
  • Remember Buyers often have kids in tow, so never leave candles burning unattended.

Certainly there is no guarantee you’ll sell your Rancho Cucamonga home during the Holidays, but don't you all agree that homes certainly show better during the Holidays? 

Comments (30)

Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

This is a great presentation of the pros and cons of holiday season marketing.  In our area, this is a great time to be on as nearly everything is selling.

Nov 13, 2012 11:38 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Mykel:  This can be a very personal and detailed decision for a Seller.  But I can speak from experience, that showing and keeping your home on the Market can be a wise choice.  My family sold our last home during the Holidays and the decorations, atmosphere within the home at that time was a major factor as to WHY.  Our Buyers told us because of the setting, they could imagine their family enjoying the Holidays in the house for years to come.  It WAS the tipping point.

Can you imagine a time when your home looks any more inviting or beautiful??

Gene

Nov 13, 2012 11:52 PM
Pam Miller
Realty Associates - Conroe, TX
Broker Associate - Water Crest on Lake Conroe

I really like showing homes during the Holidays!  Serious buyers are looking during the Holidays:)

Nov 14, 2012 12:11 AM
Jon Karlen
Finish Line Realty - Louisville Ky Real Estate - Metropolitan Service Area - Louisville, KY
Louisville Kentucky real estate - Metro Area

While overall activity generally slows down in our market in Louisville KY during the holidays, I think that the quality of potential buyers are much higher.  Many are forced relocations that have to start their jobs on January 1st - so while the quantity may be slower, the quality is generally much higher.

 

Nov 14, 2012 12:58 AM
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

All terrific points. I normally advise my clients to keep the homes on - inventory is lower and the serious buyers are still looking.

Nov 14, 2012 01:20 AM
Kymberly Caldwell-Muniz
(909) 973-0410 - Fontana, CA
TCR Group Keller Williams Realty Rancho Cucamonga

Hello Mykel, I am a buyers agent and I have been blessed with some serious buyers. We will be out during the holidays looking for some great inventory. Note to Listing Agents: Do not take available homes off the market, when "other" agents go on vacation this is the best time my clients and I find the best deals. Great post.

Nov 14, 2012 01:56 AM
Robert Rucker III
Fairbanks, AK

Hello Mykel,

Great presentation and congratulations on being featured. I am not a realtor however I side with the professionals of leaving the the house on the market. Motivated sellers are there. Not sure if you are close to a military installation as you know military can be in a position to buy at anytime for any number of reasons. Thanks for sharing. 

Nov 14, 2012 01:58 AM
Gena Hatch
Keller Williams Realty - Carmel Valley, CA
Realtor, CHMS, CNS

It's that time of the year again - thank you for keeping those points fresh in my mind. I often wrestle with whether I should even do an open house between Thanksgiving and New Year. One of my pet peeves for homes that are on the market during the holidays and feature festive decor in the home photos - the photos need to be updated the first week of January. There's nothing worse than photos with Christmas decor on Valentine's Day!

Nov 14, 2012 02:05 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

If there are going to be a week when there will be guests in the home, for example, I would suggest that during that week ask for no showings or place it on Withdrawn (our MLS status for "currently listed, but temporarily off market)  The listing agent should update the listing sheet showing instructions.  But, otherwise leave it on the market if possible.  Great post and good feature!

Nov 14, 2012 02:23 AM
Morris Massre
Pembroke Pines, FL
Real Estate Instructor Broward County Florida

As much as that is probably very convenient for the sellers, I'm sure it stinks for buyers who only have the holidays off to shop for a home.

Nov 14, 2012 04:10 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

This is soo true!  It is a proven fact that more houses go under contract between the months of October - December than any other period during the year.

Nov 14, 2012 05:28 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Thirty years ago this Christmas Eve at 6:45 pm, I put my current home into escrow.  Yes, I bought it that very night.  I'm a strong believer that leaving a home on the market during the holidays can be advantageous.  It may seem a little inconvenient for the seller, but it can pay off.

Nov 14, 2012 06:07 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Mykel:

Great information for a seller.  You spell everything out very clearly leaving the seller to make the choice.

Nov 14, 2012 06:22 AM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

I've done some of my biggest deals over the holidays and through January when it seems other realtora are sleeping. Last year we got the final signature on a contract Christmas day on a really difficult listing. So yes, I say leave it listed.

Nov 14, 2012 07:12 AM
Mykel Martin
(909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Realty Masters & Associates

Today was a really busy day for me.  So this is my first opportunity to log onto ActiveRain.  I was delighted to see my post had been Featured.  Thank you all for such great comments.  Any Seller reading this would greatly benefit from the collective insight of such Professionals.  I know I have certainly enjoyed reading each and every comment. Even though it would be My Advice, but definitely my Seller's decision - I would strongly encourage them to continue marketing through the Holidays.  Then I'd send them straight to this post to have you emphasis the benefits that you mutually agree outweigh the inconvenience.

Thanks again! 

Nov 14, 2012 10:48 AM
Mykel Martin
(909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Realty Masters & Associates

Robert, Even though Military relocation does not dirctly affect our area, you bring up a great point!  Growing up a Army Brat I can certainly relate to that.  You mentioned that you were not a Realtor, which makes your input totally unbiased and greatly appreciated. Thanks for stopping by.

Nov 14, 2012 11:10 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Mykel - You've done a nice job of laying out the pros and cons of having a home on the market during the holidays.

Nov 14, 2012 02:51 PM
Rhonda Duffy
Duffy Realty of Atlanta & Rainmaker Realty - Milton, GA
#1 Retail Listing Agent in the U.S.

Great posts and great points! Thank you for sharing

Nov 14, 2012 11:00 PM
Athina Boukas
Virginia Capital Realty - Richmond, VA
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

I believe in train of thought #2.  Homes do sell during the holidays and I would leave it on the market.  Just let buyer agents know to work around the appointments with notice if you have guests and kids. Clean up, get out and allow it to be shown.

Nov 14, 2012 11:26 PM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

I have sold as many during December as I have any other month so I say if you want to sell it sell it

Nov 17, 2012 11:48 AM