When you look at your calendar today, you may find the next two months overloaded with seasonal obligations, shopping, entertaining, decorating the house, and more. As you are trying to sell your home now, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in showing condition.

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of reasons is quite long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, you may find your selling efforts unrewarded with limited showings. Also, what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. The temptation is to give your house a rest, and it might have a fresh start after the holidays.

Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. Your home isn't going to sell while off the market! So what’s the advantage of that? Of course you’re busy but your Realtor is doing the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.

The holidays are a wonderful time to sell. Here’s why:

Because most people take off work sometime during the holiday season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.

Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected over the holidays than any other "busy" periods.

Many buyers choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.

Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although most transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break.

At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Having buyers view your home during this most festive of seasons lets them envision their own family life in the home environment you have created.

 With reduced inventories and motivated buyers, you will have all the members of the MLS on your team. You may find you have more showings than you would if you marketed your home during a busier time of the year.