Get It On, Or take It Off? That is the Question.

I get asked the question of whether it is better to list in the Fall/Winter vs. Spring/Summer all the time. To be honest, if my clients started talking to one another about this issue they all might think that I lied to them! What I mean by that is, it depends on the person, the circumstances and the inventory available in the neighborhood and how quickly it has been selling. The answer for each client is going to be different. Makes sense right? I mean aren't we all individuals, with different goals and circumstances? If your agent has a standby-cookie cutter answer for this question, I would fire them. Just Sayin'.....


Here is my list of factors that may help you determine whether or not you should be listed, stay listed or consider listing in the Winter Holiday Season:

1. Do you have a true need/desire to sell by a certain date? To be honest, some people just are not that motivated to sell their house. I prefer to only work with clients who do have deadlines, and are realistic about their goals in order to focus my attention only on those clients. However, maybe your "need to sell by" date is the following August...In that case, I would just wait until after the first of the year. On the other hand, maybe your "need to sell by" date is in February  In that case, listing in the late fall/early winter and remaining on the market may be a smart idea.
2. How quickly is inventory being absorbed into you local market? In my last blog, I talked about absorption rate and how it can help a seller determine when to to sell or hold. How many houses like yours are currently available in your neighborhood? How quickly are listings selling currently? Is there a lack of inventory? If there is a lack of inventory, and things are selling quickly, I would put the house on the market and stay that way through the holidays. 
3. Can you realistically be out of your house on short notice during the Holidays? Are you baking loads of cookies? Does your family come in from out of town, and stay with you? Is your house decorated from top to bottom? Is the Holiday Season the only time during the year that you and your family get to spend peacefully together? This is a lifestyle factor, that has nothing to do with the market but it can affect your sanity. In all honesty if receiving showings is going to be a supreme hassle...I would just hold off until after the first of the year.
4. How much traffic is your real estate agent saying they are seeing right now? Personally, I have had 4 homes go under contract in the last week. People have to buy at all times of the year, and the inventory usually shrinks during the Holiday season. Most of my sellers who decided to stay on the market are seeing lots of showings right now.

If you decide to wait until the Holidays are over to put your house on the market, allow me to share a couple pieces of advice:

• The Spring season hits its climax in April/May. In order to snag that perfect buyer, you should be on the market no later than Feb. 1. That is when people really start to get out and look.
• A lot of people make New Year's resolutions to buy houses, so being on the market as soon as Jan. 1 is not too early. We all know that people stand firm with their resolutions in the beginning, but they passion almost always tapers off. Strike while they are HOT!
• Love birds are out after Valentine's Day...Little Bungalows do really well between that time and April.
• Beat the rush, most sellers will wait too late into the Spring season to list and will have a ton of competition. 

What do you think is the "perfect time to sell"?