A Busy Holiday Real Estate Market in NYC

Three of my exclusive listings have had accepted offers since Thanksgiving. Two already have signed contracts, while the other one has a contract out. A fourth just received an offer! Does that mean the "holiday slowdown" isn't a thing anymore? No. We're still seeing overall activity drop off, as is normal. What it does indicate is that the accepted wisdom doesn't always hold.

Many sellers and agents take their listings off the market over the holidays, since "no one is looking." I've never subscribed to that theory. There might be fewer buyers out and about, but the ones who are - they're serious. They also have fewer listings to choose from. Meanwhile nobody's seeing your home and its "Days on Market" continue to tick up. Why risk that?

Remaining on the market during the holidays has proven to be a winning strategy for several of my seller clients. A signed contract is a pretty awesome holiday gift, and you don't have to wrap it.