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What? You are taking the winter off? Did you put away some nuts or something?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

Winter is upon us and I keep hearing from agents that they are taking the December off and part of January since it is a slow time of the year and no one shops during the holidays. Well, guess what? You are wrong, plenty of people shop through the holidays and they are serious buyers!

Squirrel digging up nuts

But, when I hear someone who says this to me and I also hear that they haven’t sold a home in 3 or 4 months it makes me wonder if they buried some nuts like a squirrel or if they have sugar momma or daddy at home. I know I sure don’t, I’m the income in my house and if I stop working, the money stops coming in.

So, do take the winter off or are you working year round? I know I make the most amount of money this time of year and maybe that is because others take it off. Whatever the reason, I certainly don’t plan to take a month and half off just because I was told this was the slow time of the year, especially if like these others haven’t sold a home in 3 or 4 months.


Comments(21)

Matthew Cordisco
Pocono Mountain Lakes Realty - Pocono Lake, PA
Pocono Real Estate Professional

I agree, I can't see myself taking such a large chunk of time off for any reason.

Nov 30, 2010 07:12 PM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

The only real slow period (for pending sales) is Dec 20 to Jan 3-4.

Nov 30, 2010 07:22 PM
Sidney Kutchuk
Property Management & Sales at REALTY WORKS TEMECULA, CA 92590 (951) 217-6745 - Temecula, CA
Property Management & Sales Experts 951-217-6745

I am with you,this is the time of year to step things UP!

Nov 30, 2010 07:26 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Todd, we have traditionally sold in my office the most in December over the last 2 years...i have had clients postpone houses we were suppose to list this week til after 1/1 but people are looking because my open houses are being well attended...

Nov 30, 2010 09:40 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Todd, I'm going on a week vacation prior to Christmas.  I guess that's my version of taking the winter off.

Nov 30, 2010 11:27 PM
Robert Schwabe
Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Real Estate

Todd - Now is the time to get things rolling so when the buying season comes around you will already have the momentum going.

Dec 01, 2010 12:00 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

This is the time to lay the foundation for next year.  I can't imagine taking the whole month off!  (And I have two closings this week so I guess my strategy is working!)

Dec 01, 2010 12:14 AM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

I'm taking this week off, but will be in the trenches next week. See you there.

Dec 01, 2010 12:42 AM
Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

No Winter Break here!  We're busy and I like it that way :)

Dec 01, 2010 01:24 AM
Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC
Selling the Upstate since 1989

Todd..

SHHHHH... don't let the cat out of the bag... I like that a lot of agents don't work in Dec... That means more business for those of us that do!! hahaha.. My best month in real estate was in 2002 in December... 44 sides closed !!!! I would love to have those days back!! I might COULD take some time off if I had a Dec. like that again.!!

 

Dec 01, 2010 02:23 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Even though I've had a good year so far, there is no way I'll be taking off the Winter. It's full steam ahead for me!

Dec 01, 2010 02:24 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Todd - I agree with Kathryn above --- now is the time to plant the seeds for 1st quarter 2011.  It's a great signal to people to show you are working(and selling) at this time of the year.  Have a great December!

Dec 01, 2010 02:32 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Todd - In my experience the most motivated buyers and sellers are the ones buying or selling during the holidays.  I too am the sole provider in my household and I couldn't imagine taking a month or two off.

Dec 01, 2010 03:17 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Todd, it hasn't been the best of years, but there was still enough activity to keep me busy and there are still houses to sell and buyers that need help. The people that take the break must definitely have that extra job to support them.

Dec 01, 2010 05:52 AM
Sandra Pearce
Republic Mortgage Home Loans in Olympia Washington - Olympia, WA

As much as I would love to hibernate for the winter I have a little lady that counts on me to stay active and so, while others hit the snooze, I will be out there in the mix, getting loans closed for my Realtorsand a jump start on a new year.  (and I must say, my business counts on Realtors like you staying active during the winter season, so Thank You)

Dec 01, 2010 08:05 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Todd

So true, buyers are out there and wanting to buy. Taking off when we can prepare our war chest for next year isn't a good idea.

Dec 01, 2010 11:56 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

I am amazed at how some agents would believe that is the smart thing to do and especiallyso given  the way this national economy is. They all need to hit it running year round and I seriously doubt they have any nuts stored either.

Dec 01, 2010 02:41 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

I am definitely working this winter holiday season. It's never a good thing to slow down, especially in this economy. BTW, how in the world do you manage to take such close-up pictures of animals like that???

Dec 01, 2010 03:51 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

William I use the Nikon D90 with a Tamron 18-270 lens (Great camera and a great lens) I can get what looks to be a close up shot when I'm really actually about 10 feet away from an animal. But, in this case, this guy just happened to be right beside me and I was able to get about a foot away from him and get the shot.

Dec 01, 2010 05:00 PM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Todd - My nose is to the grindstone and I'm working double time this Holiday Season... 

Dec 02, 2010 01:40 PM