I have heard a lot lately ‎”Should I wait until January to list my house” -or- “Why should I list now?”

Here are my top 4 reasons why I think you should list now instead of waiting until January or February.

1) the home shows best during this time of year – it is decorated the best now.

2) there is less inventory on the market this time of year, after the first of the year more properties will come on the market, therefore, more competition.

3) relocation buyers are coming to visit during the holidays, during the mid-term break.

4) it takes a couple of weeks to get the marketing up and running, by placing the property on the market now, you will be out in front in January, assuming it doesn’t sell during the holidays.

Lastly, I will leave with a story about a Seller who called me in early December last year. He called to tell me he wants to take the house off the market for the holidays and put back on after the first of the year. I told him he could do what ever is best for his family, but I strongly encourage him not (for the reasons above). He said, “I trust you Neil, and if you say so, we’ll leave the house on the market”. Well on December 27th he accepted an offer that was $2000 less then full price and $3000 more than the price he was going to reduce to on January 2nd. Needless to say, he was happy he left his house on the market over the holidays.

I hope this helps you when deciding if you should list now or after the first of the year. And if you are listed now and thinking about taking the house off the market for the holidays…don’t!

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