Should You Take Your Home Off the Market for the Holidays?
BY Scott Moore, Realtor | October 31, 2025
One of the most common questions we get this time of year is: “Should we pull our house off the market during the holidays?”
Our answer? Absolutely not. And here’s why:
1. Holiday Frustrations Spark Real Estate Dreams
The holiday season, while joyful, can also magnify a home’s shortcomings. With more people at home, space can feel cramped. Add visiting relatives, holiday parties, and hosting responsibilities, and suddenly, every outdated fixture or awkward layout becomes glaringly obvious. This frustration often pushes homeowners to start exploring their options.
2. Extra Time Means Extra Browsing
Many people have time off work during the holidays and once the initial excitement of the season wears off, boredom can kick in. What do they do? They start browsing real estate listings. Sites like Realtor.ca see a spike in traffic during this time, making it a prime window to capture the attention of buyers.
3. Not Everyone Celebrates Christmas
While many take a break for the holidays, not everyone celebrates Christmas. For some buyers, the end of December is just another opportunity to find the right home. They’re still active, still searching, and still ready to buy.
4. Less Competition = More Attention
Inventory typically drops in December, which means fewer homes on the market. With less competition, your home has a better chance of standing out and getting noticed by motivated buyers.
Bottom Line: The holiday season is actually a great time to keep your home visible on the market. You don’t have to allow showings if it’s inconvenient. Most agents (and buyers) will understand if you pause showings for a few days. But staying live on the MLS allows you to attract interest from potential buyers. Even if someone requests a showing you can’t accommodate, that’s a lead your agent can follow up with in early January: “Thanks for your interest—we’re back in action now. Let’s schedule a showing!”
So while you enjoy the holidays, let your listing work quietly in the background. You never know who might be browsing from the couch, dreaming of a new home for the new year, and you want to make sure they can find you.