Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions.
How do the holidays—affect when you should list your home?
Dear Phyllis,
My husband and I recently divorced. My daughter has severe anxiety, and I want to sell our home while she is on break for Thanksgiving. She knows we will be selling our home, but I want her impact to be minimal. I am thinking of taking her on vacation and giving the real estate agent that week to get our home sold.
How do the holidays impact when you should list your home?
Dear GG,
I understand that your daughter’s well-being comes first. I also appreciate your effort to balance that with selling your home. Listing during Thanksgiving break makes sense on the surface. But the market slows during the holidays. Many buyers travel or focus on their families. Others pause their search. Showings drop, and urgency fades. That can reduce competition and affect your final price.
I’ve handled a similar situation during Spring Break. My client took her daughter on a one-week cruise. I had that week to secure escrow, and we did. In hindsight, I saw the downside. Activity picked up after the break. With more exposure, the home could have drawn stronger interest and a higher price.
Real estate follows a rhythm. Spring through early summer brings the most buyers. Families plan moves around school schedules. Competition often leads to multiple offers. The holidays, by contrast, slow momentum—even for strong listings. You might consider staying nearby instead. Rent an Airbnb and keep the home available for showings. That gives your daughter comfort while maintaining flexibility.
Homes do sell during the holidays. In the right situation, it can work. The key question is your priority: speed and convenience, or maximum exposure and value.
