Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New Year

As the year winds down, you may be wondering if you should list your house before the holidays or wait. Here’s what you need to know. There are actually some good reasons to sell now rather than wait until January.

Motivated Buyers Will Be Out Searching

At this time of year, the buyers who are still looking at homes tend to be serious about buying. They could be someone who needs to relocate for work, a family that wants to get settled before the new year, or others who are highly motivated to make a purchase. That means you’ll more likely be dealing with focused buyers during the holidays.

You’ll Have Less Competition

While many sellers are sitting on the sidelines and waiting until January to list their houses, your home can really shine if you list now. That’s because the inventory of homes for sale typically drops during the holiday season, which means you’ll have a better chance of standing out. As Jason Lewris, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl Labs, says:

“In the absence of trustworthy information, real estate decisions can be driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”

Listing over the holidays may be the move that helps you stand out. Your home, priced right and well-marketed, will face fewer competing listings. Buyers who see your home may feel a greater sense of urgency to make an offer.

The Equity in Your Home May Be More Than You Realize

Many homeowners don’t realize how much equity they have in their homes. Home values have gone up significantly in recent years, and that means sellers today are in a great position. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“The typical home seller in 2023 had a tenure of 10 years in their home before selling . . . the typical seller has gained $100,000 in equity over that time.“

That’s a lot of potential. Before you decide to wait until next year to sell, talk with a local real estate agent about how much equity you’ve got in your home and your options for using it.

Bottom Line

Before you decide to wait until the new year to sell your home, connect with a local real estate agent to talk through the benefits of listing now.