The holiday season is often portrayed as enjoying evenings at parties with friends, spending quality time with family over meals, and relaxing and taking in the positive vibes of the season. While at least that’s how it’s portrayed in movies. In reality, we do all those things in addition to our daily work and family responsibilities. As a Realtor®, this means that I am still out and about listing and showing houses because, yes, people still do list their homes during the holiday season. Changes in job or family circumstances require people to move year round. This means that there are also people searching for a home during the holiday season too. If you are looking to buy a home in Locust Grove, Culpeper, or Spotsylvania, don’t let the time of year deter your search. Here are a few things that are good to know about searching for a home during the holiday season.
The days on the market for homes are up. At the height of the buying frenzy some homes barely spent one day on the market. Now that this has cooled, buyers have more time to see homes and decide what one is right for them. Traditionally there are fewer buyers on the market searching for a home during the holiday season, so you will have less competition and more time time to tour homes. Keep in mind that this does not mean that you will be the only person searching for a home during the holiday season. If you find a home that checks off all the boxes on your home search list, then don’t wait to make an offer on it.
Be flexible with showings. During the holidays, there is an uptick in the number of events going on throughout the week. Seller’s may be hosting parties or out of town visitors which may impact their daily schedule. This means that a seller’s showing availability may be less open. As a buyer searching for a home during the holiday season, be prepared to be flexible and open to changes in showing times. Keep in mind that winter also means a shorter window of daylight. Try to schedule mid-day showings when possible because this will allow you to see the outside of the home and yard while it’s still light outside.
Motivated Sellers. Whether it’s for tax purposes or just needing to move on before the new year, motivation is higher for most seller at the end of the year. This means that the buyers searching for a home during the holiday season may find sellers who are more willing to negotiate. The price of the home or the time of closing are two items that can be negotiated. Even though you may be searching for a home during the holiday season, it may work to your benefit to agree to close on the home at a time helpful to the seller.
