78 days until Christmas - should you sell your house? The conventional wisdom says no, but the reality is more nuanced. While inventory typically drops during the holiday season, the buyers who are actively looking during this time are exceptionally serious and motivated.
Understanding how to sell your home successfully during the holidays requires balancing festive presentation with strategic home showing practices.
The Holiday Selling Misconception
Many sellers believe the holidays are a dead zone for real estate. While it's true that fewer homes sell during the holiday season compared to spring and summer, dismissing this period entirely means missing serious buyers who need to move regardless of the calendar.
Why People Buy During the Holidays
Real life doesn't stop for the holidays. Buyers actively searching during this season include:
- Job relocations with firm start dates
- Family situations requiring immediate housing
- Lease expirations happening during winter
- Serious buyers who prioritize finding the right home over convenience
If someone is house hunting during the holidays, they're not casual browsers. They're inconveniencing themselves during the busiest season of the year, which signals genuine intent and readiness to purchase.
Our Track Record: December Home Sales
We've never sold fewer than four houses in December across all our years in business. This consistent performance during what many consider the "slow season" proves that motivated buyers exist year-round.
The market may be quieter, but serious transactions absolutely happen. The key is positioning your property to attract these committed buyers while respecting the holiday spirit.
Holiday Decoration Strategy: Less is More
The biggest mistake sellers make is over-decorating during the holidays. Your goal is accenting your home with holiday cheer, not transforming it into a Christmas display that overwhelms the actual property.
Keep Decorations Simple and Elegant
Think accent, not takeover. Your decorations should enhance your home's appeal, not distract from its features:
- Simple, tasteful Christmas tree - nothing blocking walkways or dominating rooms
- Subtle festive touches - a little sparkle here, a wreath there
- Avoid inflatable lawn decorations - they make your home the decoration instead of showcasing it
- Skip oversized ornaments - massive wreaths blocking front doors hide your entrance
The Tree Dilemma
Consider a tall, slim tree instead of a massive 17-foot round one. However, don't rush out to buy a new tree just because you're selling. If you already have a larger tree, use it but compensate by trimming back decorations elsewhere.
The key principle: buyers should walk through your house normally without detouring around Christmas trees or dodging inflatable Santas. Decorations shouldn't impede the natural flow through your home.
Exterior Lighting Done Right
Tasteful exterior lighting can actually attract buyers. A beautifully lit home during the holidays creates warmth and curb appeal that draws people in. The difference lies in execution:
Good Holiday Lighting:
- Classic white or warm lights along rooflines
- Elegant pathway lighting
- Tasteful window candles
- Simple door wreath with subtle lighting
Lighting to Avoid:
- Overwhelming multi-color displays
- Inflatable decorations dominating the yard
- Excessive animated decorations
- Anything that makes your home "the Christmas house" on the block
Holiday Scents: The Same Rules Apply
Our standard scent advice applies year-round, holidays included. While turkey or fresh-baked goods might smell amazing, strong scents always raise buyer suspicion.
The Smell Strength Rule
It's not what you smell, it's how strong it smells. Even pleasant holiday aromas become problematic when they're overpowering:
- Light turkey or baking smells: Acceptable and welcoming
- Heavy cinnamon or pine fragrances: Makes buyers wonder what you're hiding
- Carpet powder products: Absolutely avoid these strong chemical scents
- Multiple scent sources: Never layer candles, plug-ins, and cooking smells
What Buyers Think About Strong Scents
No matter how pleasant the smell, intensity creates suspicion. When buyers encounter powerful fragrances, they immediately ask: "What are they trying to cover up?"
The safest approach: keep your home neutral with perhaps a subtle hint of holiday warmth from natural sources like fresh greenery or lightly scented baked goods.
Maintaining Home Presentation Standards
Holiday selling doesn't change fundamental home presentation rules.
Less is More Philosophy
The same "less is more" principle that guides year-round home selling applies to holiday decorations:
- Declutter first, then decorate minimally
- Keep walkways and sightlines clear
- Maintain clean, organized spaces
- Don't let decorations overwhelm rooms
Access and Flow
Buyers need to move freely through your home. Position your tree and decorations where they enhance spaces rather than blocking natural traffic patterns. If your traditional tree placement blocks a doorway or creates an awkward detour, reconsider the location for selling season.
The Attraction Factor: Beautiful Holiday Presentation
Despite the challenges, holiday decorations can actually help sell homes when done tastefully. A beautifully decorated home creates emotional connections that bare houses can't match.
Why Holiday Decor Can Help
People are naturally drawn to festively decorated homes. When decorations are executed properly with:
- Tasteful, elegant choices that complement your home
- Professional-looking exterior lighting that highlights architecture
- Cozy, welcoming interior touches that create warmth
- Seasonal staging that helps buyers envision their own celebrations
The Maintenance Connection
Good decorations signal good homeownership. Buyers who see beautifully maintained holiday decorations often assume (correctly) that the homeowner maintains the property with similar care and attention to detail.
Practical Tips for Holiday Home Selling
Before Each Showing
- Turn on all holiday lights for evening showings
- Keep decorations dust-free and well-maintained
- Remove any gift wrap or shopping clutter immediately
- Maintain normal cleaning standards despite holiday busyness
Managing Holiday Hosting
If you're hosting holiday gatherings while selling:
- Schedule showings around events when possible
- Deep clean immediately after gatherings
- Remove evidence of parties (extra chairs, table settings)
- Air out cooking smells before showings
Flexibility is Key
Serious holiday buyers often have limited availability. Be as flexible as possible with showing times, even if it means accommodating requests on weekends or during traditional family time. These buyers are motivated and ready to move forward quickly.
Understanding the Holiday Market Reality
The holiday real estate market operates differently than spring and summer:
Lower Competition
- Fewer homes on the market
- Less competition for serious buyers
- Your property stands out more
- Reduced showing frequency but higher quality buyers
Motivated Buyer Pool
- People viewing homes have genuine need
- Less "just looking" activity
- Faster decision-making from serious buyers
- Higher conversion rates from showing to offer
Extended Timeline Expectations
Selling during holidays may take longer, but this doesn't mean avoiding the season entirely. Just adjust expectations:
- Fewer showings overall
- Longer gaps between viewings
- But serious interest when it happens
- Often faster negotiations with motivated buyers
Should You Sell During the Holidays?
The answer depends on your specific situation:
Good Reasons to List During Holidays
- You need to move regardless of season
- Your home shows well with minimal decoration
- You can remain flexible for showing requests
- You understand it may take longer
- You have a unique property that will stand out
Reasons to Wait Until January
- You're not motivated to move immediately
- Your home requires extensive holiday decoration
- You can't accommodate flexible showing schedules
- You need maximum market exposure
- Your timeline is flexible and not urgent
The Bottom Line on Holiday Home Selling
Selling your home during the holidays is 100% doable - it just requires different strategies and adjusted expectations. The process may be slower, but the buyers you encounter will be exceptionally serious and ready to move forward.
Key Success Factors
- Keep decorations tasteful and minimal - accent, don't overwhelm
- Maintain flexibility for serious buyer schedules
- Follow standard home presentation rules despite holiday chaos
- Understand the market reality - fewer but more serious buyers
- Work with experienced agents who sell year-round successfully
Ready to explore selling your home during the holiday season? Contact Team Keogh for personalized guidance on positioning your property for holiday success. We've consistently sold homes throughout December and understand exactly how to attract serious winter buyers while maintaining your holiday enjoyment.
