Why December in the Best Time to List a Property!
January is the most popular time to list properties in SW Florida. But the shrewd seller thinks out of the box. These sellers are keenly aware of the major advantages of a December listing. Below are some of the often-overlooked reasons:
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During the holidays, with less sellers in the market, a seller may have more leverage in terms of pricing (the laws of supply and demand).
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During the winter months, homes with fireplaces or heated pools are far more appealing.
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December brings out serious buyers. After all, folks who are just casually looking (window shopping) for a home are far less likely to do so during the holidays. In short: If someone is looking for a home purchase in December, they are likely to be very serious. Any seller would rather have 5 serious buyers considering their property than 10 who are merely curious about the market.
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As many people get Christmas bonuses at their place of employment, they have more cash in their pockets. Also, the holiday season tends to put most people in a positive frame of mind, as they plan to celebrate and visit/invite family and friends to their home.
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January and February are the most common months for employment relocations. Many of these people get notice of their move in November and December. Hence, the home search is likely to begin then.
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December is probably the best month to sell. After the holidays, more people get serious about finding their new home.
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And remember, selling in December means you will not actually need to move for about 2 months, as negotiations, contract, mortgages, and closings take time.
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According to Investopedia, the Christmas season allows you to show your home in all its warmth, with holiday decorations, special foods on display, etc. Buyers, like most other folks, are in a good frame of mind during this season.
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According to The Balance, if you have a home with drawbacks (bad location, etc.), you will probably get placed at the bottom of broker’s lists when there are many homes on the market in the spring. Therefore, December is ideal for these sellers.