Are there still buyers in Niagara in December, before Christmas?
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December 20 to January 20, when everyone is busy with the holidays. Before the 20th, there is still a wave of buyers.
- 01Transferred for work, settling in by New Year's
- 02Their lease is up
- 03Hunting for December value
Everyone said nothing would sell. That December, Yifei's team sold a house a day for 10 days straight.
Buyers want to close before the holidays, sellers want the money in hand. On one deal, Yifei's counter was open only until that night.
That is why Yifei would rather be blunt about price now than list high and get stuck in December.
- 01List in November
- 02Price it right from day one
- 03Say yes to every showing
- 04Set closing date and lawyers early
- 05Book repairs now
Tell Yifei your neighbourhood, price range and ideal closing date. He will help you plan your December.
Ask YifeiWhy early December still works
Yifei checks his own sales every year. Over the past five years, his busiest months were February through May, but there's a second peak from November 1 to December 23, the last selling window of the year.
The people out looking in the cold are usually serious:
- They've been transferred for work and want to settle in before the new year.
- Their lease is up.
- They're hunting for value. As Yifei puts it, December prices are the lowest of the year, but there are hardly any good listings.
Fewer buyers, but even fewer homes competing for them. A clean, well-priced house can actually stand out in December.
December in three parts
In Yifei's words: winter isn't a bad time to sell. One month is.
What Yifei has seen
- One year, rates were going up and everyone said nothing would sell. That December, Yifei's team sold a house a day for 10 days straight.
- On one house, the buyer offered a little over $500,000 and the seller said no. Yifei countered for the seller: come up a bit more with a December closing and we'll sign tonight, with the counter open only until that night. That's the December rhythm. Buyers want to close before the holidays, sellers want the money in hand, and nobody wants to drag it into the new year.
- And the reverse. A family wanted to move. Yifei urged them to list early; they went on vacation first and listed a good while later. They didn't just lose a few weeks; they lost the season. That's why Yifei would rather be blunt about price now than list high and get stuck in December.
How to sell in December
- List in November. Listing in mid-December leaves buyers only a few days.
- Price it right from day one. December buyers won't wait you out, and after the 20th the market goes quiet.
- Say yes to showings. Keep the Christmas decorations, but keep the house tidy and warm.
- Set the closing date early. Some law offices close for the holidays as early as December 15. If you want to close before Christmas, check both lawyers' availability when you sign. If that doesn't work, a late January or February closing is fine.
- Book repairs now. Trades booked in December often can't start for two or three weeks.
Frequently asked questions
My house didn't sell. Should I pull it in December?
Yifei's advice: stay listed until December 20, and if you want a break, take it from the 20th to January 20. Relisting may reset the days-on-market shown online, but buyer agents can usually still see the earlier listing and price drops.
Can I close around Christmas?
Yes, but plan ahead. Some law offices close by mid-December, so confirm both lawyers are available before you sign.
Do I have to give the house away in December?
There are fewer buyers, but fewer competing listings too. A well-priced home still sells in December; an overpriced one struggles in any season.
Want advice for your situation?
Your neighbourhood, price range and ideal closing date all change the December plan. For your own situation, reach Yifei (RE/MAX) at efay.ai.