Should You Wait Until January to List Your Home? Not So Fast…

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Modern kitchen with a marble island, wicker chairs, and a “Coming Soon” real estate sign on the counter, with text overlay reading “Should I wait until January to sell my home?”

It’s the end of the year, and if you’ve been tossing around the idea of selling your home, I’m guessing someone’s told you this:

“You should wait until after the holidays. No one buys in December anyway.”

 

I hear it every year. But as someone who lives and breathes the Northern Colorado housing market daily, I decided to pull the actual data to see if that advice still holds up. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

What the Numbers Say (As of December 1)

I checked the MLS on December 1, and guess how many homes were pending in Larimer and Weld County?

1,183 properties.
Yep. Almost 1,200 homes went under contract in the 30 days leading up to December 1.

So what does that tell us? Buyers are still active. People are still moving. And homes are still selling — even during the so-called “slow season.”

But there’s more.

I dug deeper and looked at how quickly these homes were going under contract. Out of those 1,183 pending homes, 83 of them went under contract in 7 days or less.

That’s a powerful stat.

It tells me this: The homes that are selling fast are the ones that are priced right, prepared well, and marketed strategically. In other words…

Success in this market isn’t about timing — it’s about strategy.

Why “Wait Until January” Isn’t Always Great Advice

Here’s the thing. People love to give real estate advice this time of year — even if they’re not actually in real estate.

You’ve probably heard:

  • “Just wait until the new year.”

  • “Overprice it so you have room to negotiate.”

  • “There aren’t any serious buyers right now anyway.”

These ideas might be well-meaning, but they’re outdated. In today’s market, the homes that are priced correctly and marketed well are the ones seeing the most success — regardless of season.

 

And buyers? Many of them are hoping to get into their new home before spring. Some are relocating. Some want to beat rising interest rates. Some simply don’t want to wait. And they’re out there now.

Here’s What Matters More Than the Calendar

If you’re considering selling — whether it’s this winter or next spring — here’s what actually matters more than waiting for a “perfect” time:

  • Pricing to reflect current market conditions

  • Presenting your home with intention and care (think: prep, staging, photos)

  • Partnering with an agent who knows what buyers are looking for right now

 

Because when all of those things line up, the season doesn’t matter nearly as much as you think.

Let’s Talk About Your Timeline

If you’re on the fence — maybe you’re worried about showings over the holidays, or you’re unsure how your home stacks up — I get it. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision.

But if you’ve been wondering “Should I sell now or wait until spring?” — it’s time to get some facts and clarity based on your home, your goals, and our current market here in Northern Colorado.

👉 Reach out here or just leave a comment that says “Thinking of selling.” No pressure, just good strategy.

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