To Sell or Not to Sell: That is the Question This Holiday Season

It's that time of year again, Chicagoland! The leaves have changed color in Illinois, pumpkin spice is in the air, and you're thinking about listing your home for sale. But then you remember...the holidays are just around the corner! You start to wonder if you should wait until after the New Year to list. After all, who wants to deal with showings and open houses during the busiest time of year? But before you make your final decision, let's take a look at the pros and cons of selling during the holiday season.

The Pros of Selling During the Holiday Season 

1. There is less competition. Because most people wait until after the holidays to list their homes, there will be fewer homes on the market competing for buyers' attention. 

2. Buyers during this time of year are serious. Families who are looking to buy a home during the holidays are usually doing so because they need to move for a job or other family reasons. They are not just casual shoppers who are looking for something to do on a cold winter day. 

3. With all the holiday decorations, your home will be inviting—exactly the kind of atmosphere you want potential buyers to see. 

4. You can use the holidays as an excuse to declutter and declutter fast! Most people wait until after the holidays to deep clean and declutter their homes, but if you're selling now, you'll have to do it anyway! So why not get a head start on your spring cleaning? Not only will it make your home look its best, but it will also make packing up and moving much easier later on.  

5. You don't have to worry about maintaining a lawn. You also don't have to worry about keeping up with lawn care during winter months which can be huge in the Chicagoland areas. Instead, focus on making sure sidewalks and driveways are clear, and any icicles are removed from gutters so they don't pose a danger to anyone coming to see your home. 

6. Shows well during low-lighting situations. One downside of selling your home during winter months is that there is less daylight available for buyers to view your home in person. However, there is an upside to this as well! Since people will be coming to see your home after work hours or on weekends when it’s dark outside, any low-lighting issues inside your home will be less noticeable than during daytime showings. 

The Cons of Selling During the Holiday Season 

1. Showings can be difficult to schedule around holiday gatherings and events. If you have young children, this can be especially challenging since they may have holiday concerts or parties at school that you'll need to attend. 

2. Moving can be stressful during an already hectic time of year. If you find a buyer willing to close before Christmas, you may have to coordinate move-around holiday travel plans and family visiting from out of town. 

3. Buyers may be preoccupied with their own holiday plans and not able to focus on house hunting. If you do have showings during this time, don't be surprised if they're shorter than usual, as buyers rush off to their next engagement. 

4 . Your home may not show as well as usual due to all the holiday decorating clutter. Even if you pride yourself on being super organized, it's hard to keep a tidy house when you have holiday visitors coming in and out constantly.  

No matter when you sell your home, there will always be pros and cons to take into consideration. Either way, if you are deciding to sell this holiday season or to wait until afterward, it's suggested to meet with Deborah Benn either way.  Ultimately, the key is to do what is best for YOU and YOUR FAMILY. When it comes down to it, though, preparation is the key to being successful in anything in life, and Deborah Benn will help you get the property in its best condition to maximize your results when selling ultimately.