Top 5 reasons to leave your home on the market during the holidays

I get that no one wants to be disturbed during their Thanksgiving dinner or their Chanukah celebrations. No one wants a showing while they're trimming the Christmas tree or wrapping packages. BUT, and this is a big BUT, there are many reasons to keep your house listed without interruption for the next four months. Especially this year.

Following are my top 5 reasons for leaving your home on the market during the holidays, and aggressively marketing your home during this period.

#5.  Holiday buyers = Serious buyers
Trust me when I tell you that EVERYONE wants to enjoy the holidays. That's why potential buyers who are out looking for homes during November, December and January are SERIOUS buyers. One December I actually sold 7 homes. So, why would you pull your house off the market when a serious buyer may appear on the horizon? Offer them some egg nog and invite them in.

Our dining room table set for the holidays

#4.  Homes show better during the holidays
Most homes are gorgeous during the holidays! People decorate, fires are going in the fireplace, seasonal music is on the radio... hey, bad landscaping doesn't even show when its all covered with snow. A potential buyer will see your home decorated and ready to party!

#3.  Less competition
Many sellers do pull their homes off the market during the holidays leaving less competition on the market. So, make your house shine and this could be your time.

#2. Your house will only lose more value if you wait to sell 
Homes are losing approximately 1% per month of value right now, and according to many economists this trend won't stop for a while. Why take your house off the market and put it on in the spring when there's more competition and values have decreased even further?

And my Number 1 reason to leave your home on the market during the holidays is...

#1. Your home definitely won't sell if it's not on the market.

People who have sold their homes to first-time buyers prior to the December 1st cut-off for the $8,000 tax credit may still be out there looking for a home. This tax credit has made a difference and is starting to filter up the price ladder. There's also talk that the credit may be extended.

So, my advice is to keep your house on the market, have it priced "fat-free" and looking like Angelina Jolie and your Christmas present this year could be a big SOLD sign stuck in the snow in your front yard.

See you next Wednesday!

Pam, The Real Estate Mom

-First-time home buyer tax credit set to expire - San Francisco Chronicle

-All natural holiday decorating - Sunset Magazine