Selling your house is stressful enough without juggling holiday season activities at the same time. Still, many people need to list their homes each holiday season. Whether you’re moving for a job, downsizing, or need to sell your Florida home during the holidays for any reason, here are some things to keep in mind.
Home Prices Rise in the Spring and Summer
Spring and Summer are typically thought of as the best times of year to sell your home. While this may seem obvious for colder climates, the same holds true even in sunny Florida. Over the last three years, sale prices increased by an average of 6.6% between March and August in Central Florida.
| Year | Summer Average Price | Winter Average Price | Change |
| 2020 | $237,000 | $219,000 | 8.2% |
| 2019 | $217,000 | $205,000 | 5.9% |
| 2019 | $199,000 | $188,000 | 5.9% |
Just keep in mind, these are averages, and each situation is unique. So if you need to sell during the winter, it is still possible to receive fair value for your home.
Days on Market During the Holidays
Homes that are sold during the holiday season can typically expect to see a slight increase in the average number of days a house spends on the market. Generally, homes being sold during the winter and holiday months stay on the market 4 – 6 days longer than homes sold during the summer.
| Year | Summer Average Days | Winter Average Days | Change |
| 2019 | 60 | 54 | 6 |
| 2018 | 58 | 62 | 4 |
Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays
If you choose to sell your home during the holidays, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Tip 1 – Be Patient
As we just showed, homes that sell during the winter and holiday months tend to stay on the market 4 – 6 days longer than homes sold during the summer. That means you’ll need to be a little patient when selling your home. As long as you go into the process knowing that fact, it will make the wait a little easier to handle.
Tip 2 – Use Great Photos
All else being equal, selling your Florida home in the winter means you’ll need to work a little harder when preparing to sell. One of the easiest things you can do is work with your realtor to have some professional shots taken of your home. This can often cost as little as $100 and can give your home a big advantage when prospective buyers look at listings online.
Tip 3 – Price Your Home Right
Pricing your home right is really more about avoiding overpricing than it is listing your house under market value. Lowering a home price, especially more than once, can give buyers a hint you are eager to sell or leave them wondering if something is wrong with your property. By pricing your home right from the start you can avoid these common pitfalls.
The Bottom Line
While the stats do show selling your home in winter means fewer buyers and more days on the market, it is important to remember that these are only averages and many people successfully sell their homes each holiday season. By being patient, using professional photos, and pricing your home right, you can dramatically increase your chances of being one of those successful Floridian holiday home sellers.