Is December the Worst Month for Real Estate?
Wondering if December is the worst month to sell your house? If you plan to sell your house this year, wait until January or February – and avoid the holidays. December is one of the worst months to try selling a house, behind January and February. … Here’s why…
Most homeowners who list their home for sale in December have a difficult time getting an offer of any kind due to the low interest from buyers and competition from other sellers. There are not many listings on the market this time of year which suggests less competition but most sellers find that people are too distracted by the holiday season to focus on home buying at this point in the year.
Also, cold weather makes it hard for potential buyers to tour houses, and there are fewer homes available because many families are travelling or celebrating at this time of year.
Advice for Home Sellers
If you’re thinking about selling your home in December, you’re not alone. Holiday homes make for hot demand, but after just a few days on the market, they may sell at a higher price than their spring-season counterparts.
If your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy. Open homes can be very effective during this time of year, when there are fewer distractions and people are serious about finding a new home.
If you are hoping to sell a home in December, it’s imperative that you stay on top of things. Get your team together early and check off all the boxes so you are ready when that serious new homeowner requests more information about your property.
Advice for Home Buyers
When it comes to selling a house, conventional wisdom says “wait until spring”. After all, we usually see more inventory in the spring as the weather gets warmer. This often leads to price wars breaking out in neighborhoods with a lot of desirable homes. A home in a great area can sit on the market for just a few weeks (or a handful of days).
With the holidays looming and a new tax year nearly upon them, sellers who put their homes on the market in December might be especially motivated to close the deal and start the new year fresh. Additionally, many sellers who had their homes listed through an agent during the busy fall season are likely to have had these listings expire and are more open to making a good deal and getting the deed done.
According to real estate agents, December is the most difficult month of the year in which to get potential buyers out to view houses for sale. However, a determined buyer or seller with a dedicated real estate and mortgage team may find this the opportune time to look at homes with little to no competition.
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