Get Real: The pros and cons of home selling during the holidays

Posted by Beth Alois on December 6, 2012

One of the great debates in real estate concerns the prospect of keeping a house on the market during the holiday season. Some argue that the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is busy enough without the worry of buying a home, while others like the prospects since active buyers are generally more serious about settling on a home.

A downside for the seller is that the hectic time of year makes it harder to get the home ready at the drop of a hat if a call comes in. People are busy making food, wrapping presents and preparing for a house full of guests.

On the other hand, the house will also be decorated with beautiful lights and decorations and will create a festive elegance that will attract buyers.

Some agents believe that keeping a house on the market will appeal to a much smaller inventory of buyers who have very specific needs that your home might not match. Others counter that less inventory over the holidays means less competition; since more people have vacations this time of year, they actually have more time to search for their ideal home.

The holidays can provide a breather for homes that have been on the market for many months. Some use the time to remove property from the market in favor of a fresh start in January; however, they risk losing the buyer who may have been looking in December to capture tax benefits that many consider with their need to buy a home.

Here in the Brandywine Valley we have a unique cachet that leads to year-round activity. As a center of cultural and historical significance, along with the reputation of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, our area is distinctly attractive to buyers. The proximity of numerous large corporations also means there are always relocated employees interested in the local real estate market.

What’s the best solution? Of course it’s up to individual homeowners and their respective circumstances. Prospective sellers should discuss their holiday prospects in detail with their local Realtor. Working together, they can make holiday wishes come true.

* Jim DeFrank and Beth Alois can be reached at 610-388-3700. Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.