William, don't be alarmed is showings are slow. The lookers will be serious, but they will be fewer. Good Luck!

Our home has been on for over 2 weeks with our new realtors. Only 2 showings so far , right after the listing change. They were both serious buyers though (one chose a different home, the other is going for new construction.) But still... only 2 showings so far. Hoping for some traffic this weekend ... but still is more quiet than we hoped.

Well it's a buyer's market in Central Florida so it's just a bad time to sell period. The peak season is typically from Spring until school resumes but our peak season has not materialized the past 2 years. On top of that, the supply of homes on the market is at an all time high. Hopefully the new property tax bill that will be on the ballot in January will get past and give a much needed boost to our market. The National Association of Realtors predicts an improvement in 2008 while Alan Greenspan, the Case-Shiller Index, and the PMI index indicate we will decline in price for at least another couple of years.

If you have to sell, then I would put it on the market as soon as possible because it will mostly likely take a long time to sell. Keep in mind that the buyers are picking off only the best values so it is imperative to have a very competitive price and great marketing. A good price doesn't do any good if no one know about it. Also, the majority of home buyers search on the internet for homes so it's crucial that the person you choose understands how to effectively market a home on the internet. The E-Pro designation that some Realtors have does not necessarily mean they have a grasp on this stuff so I wouldn't rely on it.

There are fewer buyers this time of the year but tend to be more serious, at least from my experience over the past decade.

I DONT THINK SO. IF YOU LOOK AT A COMPARISON REPORT THAT AN AGENT CAN PREPARE FOR YOU IN WHICH WE CAN COMPARE YOUR PROPERTY TO OTHERS IN THE MARKET. IT WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD IDEA ON THE PRICE RANGE. THE BIGGEST MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE IS THINKING THAT THE MARKET IS STILL IN THE HIGH WHEN IT WAS A SELLER MARKET.
NOT KNOWING THE AREA OF YOUR PROPERTY IS HARD, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED SEND ME AN EMAIL

I just received an email from my past client. The subject line says:"It's time". Well, she feels it's time for her to get a new home now at this stage of her life and with the market condition as it is now.

I had to laugh because she bought her last home during winter and actually closed 01/03 three years ago.

So, I think it's fine to list a house close to Christmas - quite a few sellers will take their house off the market due to xmas season; buyers who need to buy have to buy (relocation, job change, family issue, personal needs) and the invetory will be less. Like what people say, only serious buyers will be out there during the middle of the winter with thousands of things going on. I would not wait.

Sylvia

Your home never looks better than it does at Christmas. People still have to buy and sell during the holidays. You may not have as many showings, because the people that are just looking have slowed down, but the showings that you do have will be for serious buyers. It is a great time to list a home

Do not wait....in Central Florida snowbirds are already beginning to come south, and some people "want a home for Christmas." This is the approach and thought process you want to build on as the holidays come upon us.

I have sold listings during the holidays. Any buyers out there are more serious. I've had people pull their listing because it was going to be slow, and had other listings on the same block sell. It depends on how serious YOU are. If you're serious, do it. If you're not, then don't.

Buyers have less inventory to choose from. Any buyer at that thime of year is motivated. Motivated and less inventroy can mean MO MONEY

Good luck

I posted this earlier last week.
Top 10 REASONS WHY NOW IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO SELL and BUY!!
1. If you are a move-up buyer, you are saving more dollars than you have to give up selling your existing lower priced home.
2. You can look and look until you find the right transaction for that replacement home.
3. You will get more money now than in January,February or March.
4. Increases in inventory are in the negative from now until the first of January. Homes are being listed, but more are selling and going off the market, so the net effect is the inventory is shrinking, leaving less competition for your home.
5. "Fantasy" sellers are off the market now. "Serious" buyers are out looking for a home such as yours.
6. Remember people are getting divorced, having babies, getting married and passing away every month of the year, not just in the spring. Each of these big events could trigger a change in home ownership.
7. Some people need to buy before December 31st for taxes.
8. Many early spring buyers start looking now. There is less available than they are expecting. Your great buy of a home will be a welcome surprise and might get them to do something to be in by Christmas or New Years.
9. Interest rates are still low! And regardless of all the negative hype on the loan crisis—we have many, many programs geared to all levels of homeownership!! Ask your friendly mortgage professional for a list!10. People will notice during the Holidays how their home is cramped, or will go see someone else's great home and want to follow suit. This is a great time to "dress up your home" for a party: The Sale Celebration!

Many people think it is difficult to sell a house at the holidays. It can be a terrific time - many houses have extra decorations and are even more charming. There are not typically as many homes on the market which would make yours looked at more often. People who are looking at the holidays are more serious as well. I would put your house on the market and recognize that your home will have less competition from a more serious buyer. Good luck!

We're not expecting as many showings between now and Christmas, but we are expecting the ones that we get to be very serious buyers. Buyers who are looking at houses or moving around the holidays are likely doing it because they *have* to. Besides, if the doom and gloom news is right, your home may be worth even less next year so you might be better off selling now if you can!

I take a little bit of a contrarian view to this question. If you looked at graphs of house sales over time you will notice that the new listings take a significant dip between November and Christmas. People don't want to show their homes or consider moving during that time.

However, while new sales dip a little, it isn't nearly as significant.

If you hit the market during that time with a new listing, staged well and priced to sell, you should get a lot of interest because you will be one of the few new listings on the market. You will have less competition and should get a quick sale.

It has to be priced right...that means it should be priced below the competition, not at or above the competition.

There should still be time. A contract during the month of November or even into the first week of December could possibly close by middle to end of December. It just depends on everyone's timelines and financing situation. Best of luck to you.

Tracy,
I agree with you, "relocate during a school holiday" except that means that would have already have a contract and be closing and moving.
Ruth

It could be very good for you. You will have less competition and Snowbirds will be in town. You need to think about who your target market is. If it is a family with school age children, I'd wait until Jan.
Ruth

No it is not a bad time. The holiday season is sometimes more difficult for sellers as they have to keep their home show ready & it can be bothersome if you have guests or family in your home with the possibility of showings. Many people will try to relocate during a school holiday if they have children. This allows an easy transition into their new school. Others want to be in and settled before the beginning of a new year. Hope this helps.