With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the busy holiday activities quickly approaching, it’s easy to think about taking your home off the market or waiting until after the new year to list it. Between cooking, shopping, and decorating, the idea of having buyers coming through your home can feel overwhelming.

Actually, Tg Glazer, branch vice president and managing broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville, NJ, says that's not correct.

““It’s a huge, huge mistake to either remove your home from the market during the holiday season, or to not put your home on the market if you’re getting ready to sell,” Glazer says.
”

— Tg Glazer, branch vice president and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville, NJ

The main reason is pretty straightforward: Your house simply won’t sell if it’s not listed on the market, explains Nora Ling Lane, executive vice president at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in Dallas.

““I’m pretty adamant about leaving a home on during the holidays,” Lane says. “Sure, people are busy, but I’d rather buyers see a house messy with baking in the kitchen than miss the house. Let somebody else take their house off the market and miss out.”
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— Nora Ling Lane, executive vice president for Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in Dallas

Actually, this time of year can be a great opportunity to sell. Here’s the reason why.

1. Your listing will rise to the top

When neighbors decide to pause selling during the holidays because they don’t want to keep their homes looking perfect for showings, the number of homes available on the market drops. That’s great news for buyers who are actively looking, since they’ll have a better chance of finding your listing.

““During the busy spring market, for example, you have way more competition than during the holidays,”

”So you’re much more likely to get your home sold when you’re not competing with more potential sellers.”
”

— Tg Glazer, branch vice president and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville, NJ

2. Your house looks (and smells) amazing during the holidays

With holiday greenery decorating your home, the delicious smell of cookies baking, and a cozy fire crackling in the hearth, you naturally create an inviting atmosphere. This kind of sensory appeal is something you just don’t get during other times of the year, according to Glazer.

““With that nice, homey feeling, homes tend to show a lot better during the holidays, while making people feel really good”
”

— Tg Glazer, branch vice president and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville, NJ

Also, the holidays often bring out a sense of nostalgia about family, home, and memories. This usually sparks a nesting instinct, which can lead to more people deciding to buy, according to Glazer.

Keep the decorations simple and don't overdo it.

““I tell sellers not to put a Santa Claus in every corner; you don’t want clutter””

— Nora Ling Lane, executive vice president for Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in Dallas

Keep decorations simple and minimal. Buyers want to picture their own furniture in the space, so be sure not to cover up key features like big windows or fireplace mantels.

““When you walk in and it’s warm and cozy, that helps in the selling process””

— Nora Ling Lane, executive vice president for Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in Dallas

3. Holiday buyers aren't messing around

Yes, the market usually cools off a bit as the holidays approach. However, there are still buyers out there who are seriously searching and ready to act quickly—or those who have just come into the market with tight deadlines and need to find a home fast.

““The people who are out there looking at homes during the holidays are serious buyers”

“And in areas where you have bad weather, these buyers are going to weather the storms—pun intended—to visit your property.”
”

— Tg Glazer, branch vice president and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville, NJ

Lane points out that buyers who schedule home tours during the holidays tend to be more serious and ready to take the next step if they like the property.

““These are not tire-kickers just looking around because it’s fun; those are all weeded out””

— Nora Ling Lane, executive vice president for Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in Dallas

4. Families often search during school breaks

When it comes to serious buyers, relocating families often take advantage of the holiday season to move in a way that minimizes disruption for their kids. They’re focused on finding the right home, negotiating with less stress, and getting everyone settled before school kicks back up in January, Lane explains.

““It’s a good time to show your house to people from out of town”
”

— Nora Ling Lane, executive vice president for Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate in Dallas

5. It can be easier to close a transaction in December

Buyers might actually find their loan approvals come through more quickly in November or December compared to the busy spring season. Bill Gassett, a Realtor® with Re/Max Executive Realty in Hopkinton, MA, explains that the holiday slowdown means fewer home sales to handle, and lenders are eager to close deals before the year wraps up.

““I’ve seen from personal experience that because of the low volume of business, things move quicker with lenders” ”

— Bill Gassett, a Realtor® with Re/Max Executive Realty in Hopkinton, MA

6. The holidays give you a chance to adjust your selling strategy

If your home has been sitting on the market for a few weeks or even months, it's normal to start feeling a bit restless. Sometimes, the smartest move is to pull it off the market for a while and relist it after the new year.

Resist the temptation to rush. Instead, use this slower period to fine-tune your selling approach. Could staging your home attract more buyers? Is that painting project you’ve been delaying something you should finally take care of? Maybe it’s time to revisit your asking price and see if adjustments are needed.

““Generally, the reason a house does not sell is because it’s not priced right, and if it’s been sitting on the market, nothing will change over a 30-day period if you’re pricing it the same”

“You’re much better off getting the price in line with where it should be, and leaving it on through the holidays.”
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— Tg Glazer, branch vice president and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville, NJ

Lane recently worked with clients who were thinking about pulling their home off the market for the holidays and putting it back up in January. She convinced them to keep it listed, arranged several showings, and they ended up signing a contract on Christmas Eve.