SOUND OFF

Amy Bernstein

Q: Would you suggest a seller to list a home during the holidays, and why?

A: There are both pros and cons to listing a home during the holidays. Today’s real estate market in Houston and the surrounding areas work at a very fast pace.

The Houston Association of Realtors recently announced that the housing inventory is the lowest it has been in 12 years. This statistic would support the fact that if a seller is ready to sell their home and move soon, they should list their home as soon as possible, while the inventory is so low … even if it is during the holidays. Many homes, if decorated for the holidays, look warm and inviting.

But during this time of the year — especially from mid-December to the end of December — there are fewer buyers in the market looking to purchase, so sellers might not see as much activity as other months of the year.

In addition, there’s a certain amount of stress involved in wanting to keep your home in “tip-top” showing shape while it’s on the market.

For sellers, it is better to wait until the holidays are over to place their home on the market for sale. After the holidays, the first three months of the year are typically a very busy season for homebuyers and the real estate market.
Happy holidays!

— Amy Bernstein, Bernstein Realty, Hunters Creek Village