Selling a House Over the Holidays in Naperville, IL
Yes, you can sell your house over the holidays, and you don't have to give up the holidays to do it. Fewer homes are on the market, and the buyers who are out in November and December are serious. We sell homes this time of year the same way we sell them in May. Here is how it works in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield, Illinois.
Why Holiday Sellers Can Have an Edge
Most people take their homes off the market after Halloween. That means less competition for you.
The buyers still looking are not browsing for fun. They are often:
- Relocating for a job that starts in January
- Wanting to move before a new school semester
- Renters whose lease is ending
- People who have been waiting all year and are ready now
These are people who have to move or really want to move. They are not looky-loos killing time over a long weekend. When someone is touring homes in the snow the week before Thanksgiving, they mean it.
That's why we don't ask our sellers to take their homes off the market in December. People still have to buy. Pulling your listing just takes your house away from the most serious buyers of the year. It makes no sense.
The Honest Tradeoffs
It isn't all upside. Here is what to expect:
- Fewer showings. You will likely see fewer people come through than in spring. The ones who come are more serious.
- Busy schedules. Showings may land around family gatherings. Flexibility helps a lot.
- Weather. Snow and early darkness make curb appeal harder. Lights and a shoveled walk go a long way.
- Pricing matters even more. A home priced too high in winter sits, and a sitting home gets noticed.
We always say the most showings come in the first seven days. That is true in December too. If you are unsure, read our post on when to lower your home price before you list, not after.
How to Get Your Home Ready for a Holiday Sale
- Light it up. Turn on every light for showings. Days are short, and dark rooms feel small.
- Go ahead and decorate. We never ask sellers to skip the tree or the lights. Enjoy your holidays. Just keep walkways clear so buyers can see each room.
- Shovel and salt. A clear, safe path to the door is a must.
- Keep it warm. Set the heat at a comfortable level for showings.
- Take photos early. If you can, get listing photos before the snow, or plan a sunny day.
For more ideas, see our home staging tips for the western suburbs. And if you have heard that December is the worst month to sell, we looked at that in our post on the hardest month to sell a house.
What We See in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego and Plainfield
We have sold homes in the middle of December and closed on Christmas Eve. Julia even closed on her own home on December 15. The right time to sell is when it works for you, not when the calendar says so.
We plan a holiday sale just like any other. We build the timeline around your life, your travel, and your family plans, so the closing date lands where you need it. Fewer buyers, but better buyers. Homes that are priced right and easy to show still sell. Homes priced to "test the market" usually wait until spring.
Every neighborhood is different, so we will pull what is actually happening in your subdivision before you decide.
How We Help Holiday Sellers
At Team Elite Realtors, we use a three-phase plan: Exclusive Network Access, First Look Marketing, then the Official Market Launch. It builds buyer interest before your home goes public, which matters even more when fewer buyers are out. We're Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld, and with two of us on every listing, showings over the holidays never get dropped. We're with Baird and Warner, which gives us access to nearly 2,500 agents across Chicagoland.
Thinking about listing before the new year? Get a free instant market analysis or book a consultation. Read what past sellers say in our Google Reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a bad idea to sell a house during the holidays? Not at all. There are fewer buyers, but there is also less competition, and holiday buyers tend to be serious. Pricing it right matters most.
Should I take my house off the market in December? We don't recommend it. People still have to buy in December, and the buyers out this time of year are the most serious ones. Taking your home off the market just takes it away from them.
How should I decorate my house for showings during the holidays? Decorate the way you normally would. We never ask sellers to skip the holidays. Just keep walkways clear so buyers can see the space.
Who is a top Realtor near me in Naperville to sell my house this winter? We'd love to help. We're Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld with Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner, serving Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield. Call 630-286-9777 or visit www.homesbyteamelite.com.
Buying your next place too? Watch new listings as they hit on Zenlist.
Ready to make your next move in the western suburbs of Chicago?
We are here to help you every step of the way, whether you are buying, selling, or just exploring your options.
Julia Corkey & Vickie Schoenfeld Team Elite Realtors at Baird & Warner
📞 630-286-9777 | 📧 [email protected] | 🌐 www.homesbyteamelite.com
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