As we find ourselves already past Thanksgiving with Christmas and New Year’s just ahead, home sellers might be asking if it is really possible to sell a home over the holidays. In fact, some might even be tempted to either wait to list until after the new year or simply take their home off the market altogether.

However, this can be a big mistake. You cannot sell a home if it is not on the market. Yes, it is a busy time of year for both the sellers and the buyers. But that does not mean that sellers cannot get a deal done.

Below are some of the reasons why it can work to sell a home over the holidays.

1. Top of the List

Because it can be a pain to keep a home in show-ready shape over the holidays, plenty of sellers decide to simply take their listing off the market. This is a good thing for those that decide to stick it out.

With fewer homes acting as competition, your property now has a better chance of standing out. So when the buyers search, your listing is in a better position to be found.

2. Staging Comes Standard

For most, the holiday season brings with it a dedicated appeal to the senses. A warm fire, the smell of freshly baked cookies, holiday greenery around the house, all work together to make the home feel inviting. And this is exactly what sellers need when appealing to buyers.

However, one word of caution is that home sellers will want to avoid overdoing it with the holiday decorations. There is a fine line between creating a sentimental environment and over the top clutter.

3. Holiday Buyers Mean Business

Typically, as we come into the home stretch of the holiday season, things begin to slow down. However, this does not apply to those home buyers looking to close on a house. These buyers tend to be serious about the task at hand, stopping at nothing to find what they are looking for.

This is good news for sellers. If buyers are braving the weather to come and check out your home, you know that they are not simply there to snoop around. They are motivated and serious. Which is exactly the kind of buyer you want when you sell a house.

4. School Vacations = A Family Affair

With the holiday season comes school vacation. This means that families often have time to look at homes that are out of the area – or even get a move done – without completely throwing off of the kids’ school schedule.

5. Quicker Closes

Loans processed in December tend to be approved faster than other months. Why? Because there is traditionally less volume. This means that lenders have fewer deals to work on while also being motivated to close before the end of the year.

Selling during the holiday season can feel like chaos. There is so much to do already – from shopping for presents to baking cookies to attending holiday parties – that adding to this list can seem extremely daunting. But for those sellers who decide to take on the short term pain, they could find themselves rewarded with a home sale. Reduced competition, serious buyers, and an uptempo speed to the closing table can all combine to create a good selling experience.