All real estate agents hear the objections to putting a home on the market this time of year.  And, for good reason, the holidays are a very busy time and some people psychologically want to think about and do other things.  Real estate isn’t always on their mind and they are thinking about buying Christmas gifts, vacation, taking a break and closing out the year.

“I want to wait until after the holidays because I don’t want to have my tree up and have people tripping over presents.” Or, “Nobody is out looking at real estate this time of year — they are out shopping.” Or even, “I don’t want to disturb my family during the holidays.”

These are objections we all hear when talking to clients about selling their homes.  Well, courtesy of various training I’ve gone to, including some information provided by a broker I work with that has attended Floyd Wickman –

I’ve developed a list below of 11 reasons sellers should get their home on the market right now!

1.  It’s a Happy mess… Buyers buy homes, and holiday decor is key!  Holiday decorations tap into the “happy” of the holidays.  Buying a home is very emotional for many and this happy feeling can help you sell!

2. Preliminaries: Be one of the most ready homes on the market when the
spring market returns and have all of the marketing full force ahead for
when Jan 1 hits.

3. Speculation: We can speculate a little on price right now, and correct
it in the first week of January if we don’t get an offer.

4. Less Competition: Everyone else is waiting to list their home, jump in
ahead and there’s less inventory for the motivated buyers to choose from!
There is a heavy inventory of foreclosures being held into the next fiscal year.
You need to beat them to the market!

5. Best Realtors: The best Realtors are working right now!!!

6. Positioned to Buy: You sell now, so that you can be in the best position
to buy when there is more to pick from in spring

7. Lost in the Shuffle: In the spring market.  There are more homes on the market and buyers might lose your home in the shuffle with so much coming on the market once the new year hits.

8. Transferees: Corporate people have time to look in December.

9. Snow hides the flaws: In the landscaping, the roof lines, the rough edges… (This works in the North, not so much in California and Florida)

10.  Motivation: The buyers that are out looking during this time of year REALLY want to buy and are motivated to do so.  There is more of a sense of urgency with them.

11.  “Snow birds”: This is only effective in the warm climates but the population in Florida increases during the holidays.  A lot more investors and those looking to retire able to look at homes in person that might not be able to otherwise.