Real Estate News with Heather Tankersley, Keller Williams
- Heathery Tankersley
- Dec 1, 2025
- 5 min read
4 Reasons Your House Is High on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season
When the holidays roll around, travel plans, family gatherings, and all the chaos of the season may make you think it’s better to pull your listing off the market
or to wait until 2026 to sell your house. But here’s the thing.
Waiting could mean missing out on a great window of opportunity.
Because while other sellers are stepping away, you can lean in – and that might actually give you the edge. Here are 4 reasons selling now may be the better bet.
1. Buyers This Time of Year Are Serious
Don’t let the season fool you. While casual browsers tend to step back around the holidays, serious buyers stay in the game. The people looking for homes right now usually aren’t just browsing. They’re ready to make a move and they usually want to close before the new year.
As Zillow says:
“While more buyers have tended to shop in the spring and summer months, those shopping in the winter are likely to be motivated — often moving because of a job relocation, change in financial situation, or change in family needs.”
Their timelines are real and missing them would create a hassle for the buyer, so they’re eager to get the deal done. And that’s exactly the kind of buyer
you want to work with.
2. You Have Control Over Your Schedule (and Showings)
Some homeowners decide not to sell this time of year because they don’t want to juggle showings during the holiday rush. They’re
anticipating traveling to see family and thinking about buyers in their
home only adds another layer of complexity.
But here’s what no one’s reminded them. You can control your showings and can set times that work for your schedule. You don’t have to stop your plans
to keep your sale on track. The right agent can help you manage
your calendar, your showings, and your stress level.
3. Other Sellers May Step Back, Which Means Less Competition
Because fewer sellers tend to list this time of year, the number of homes for sale usually falls a bit. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:
“As we approach the end of the year, listing activity tends to slow and would-be sellers decide to wait until after the new year to list . . .”
And in a year when inventory has been steadily rising, that seasonal slowdown works in your favor. With the potential for fewer sellers on the market,
your house will stand out. So, a seasonal dip in listings could help you get noticed, especially if your home is priced right and presented well.
4. Homes Decorated for the Holidays Can Feel More Inviting
You may not realize it, but seasonal decor can actually help you appeal to buyers. Maybe it’s that they have an easier time picturing themselves making memories in the home. Maybe it just feels cozier and more inviting. Whatever the reason, it works. Sometimes tasteful seasonal touches can make it easier to sell your house.
But don’t go overboard. Keep your choices simple to let your home’s charm shine through.
Bottom Line
There are plenty of good reasons to put (or keep) your house on the market during this time of year.
If you want to talk strategy for how to make the most of this season in our market, let’s connect.
Most Experts Are Not Worried About a
Recession
Homebuyers are watching the economy closely, and for good reason. Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most people ever make. And some recession talk in the media has made a lot of would-be buyers second guess their plans.
In the latest LendingTree survey, almost 2 in 3 Americans said they think a recession is coming. And 74% of respondents say that's having an impact on their financial decisions.
But here’s the good news: the experts aren’t nearly as concerned.
Most Americans Expect a Recession, But Most Experts Don’t
According to an October report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), only 1 in
3 experts surveyed say we may be headed for a recession sometime in the next 12 months (see graph below):
If the expert economists aren’t super worried, should you be? We’re not in a recession right now. And there’s no guarantee we’re heading into one.
What we do have is uncertainty – and the best way to handle that is by leaning on facts, not fear. You can do that by making sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.
Tips for Buying a Home During Periods of Economic Uncertainty
Here’s the best advice anyone can give right now. While it’s important to keep an eye on what’s happening in the economy, that shouldn’t necessarily overshadow your real-life needs. Economic shifts come and go, but the reasons people
buy homes rarely change. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:
“Well-prepared buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines are likely
motivated by personal and lifestyle needs like growing families, new jobs, or retirement. And these considerations can outweigh short-term economic uncertainties . . . ”
Timing your move around real life (not the news cycle)
is what matters most.
But here’s the key. If you're going to buy a home right now, job stability really matters. You need to feel confident in your income and know you can comfortably manage your mortgage payments, even if your situation or the economy shift.
If your job is secure and you’ve built a cushion of savings, experts say you don’t necessarily need to delay. Just keep these tips from the economists at Redfin in mind:
Set a budget and stick to it: Don't overextend. Make sure your payments are affordable and your savings can cover any surprises. This includes factoring in costs likely to rise, like home insurance and taxes.
Negotiate:
There are more homes for sale right now, and other buyers may
pull back because of their own fears. That gives you more negotiating power when working with sellers. Use it to get the best deal possible.
Be strategic about payments and mortgage rates: Talk to lenders about what payment you can afford and the rate you can qualify
for today, as well as your options if rates go down later on.
Consider selling before you buy:
If you already own a home, selling first can reduce the financial pressure
and help solidify your budget for your next home.
But nothing replaces the value of having a trusted team around you, especially right now. As Bankrate says:
“Buying a home during a recession can sometimes be a good idea – but only for people who are lucky enough to remain financially stable . . . Be sure to enlist the help of an experienced local real estate agent. Not only do agents know their markets well, they will also work to get you the best deal in any given situation, including a recession.”
Bottom Line
Most Americans think a recession is coming. But most experts don’t.
So, you don’t necessarily have to put your moving plans on hold. If your
finances are solid, your job is stable, and you have a real need to move, you can still make it happen.
What’s holding you back from making your next move? Let’s talk it over.
The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner
Going into 2026
After several years of high mortgage rates and hesitation from buyers,
momentum is quietly building beneath the surface of the housing market. Sellers are reappearing. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in what feels like forever, there’s movement happening again.
No, it’s not a surge. But it is a shift and it’s one that could set the stage for a
stronger year in 2026.
So, what’s driving the comeback? Here are three big trends that are slowly
breathing life back into the housing market right now.
1. Mortgage Rates Have Been Coming Down
Mortgage rates are always going to have their ups and downs – that's just how rates work. Especially with the general economic uncertainty right now,
some volatility is to be expected. But, if you zoom out, it’s the larger trend that really matters most.
And overall, rates have been trending down
for most of this year (see graph below):
And in just the last few months, we’ve seen the best rates of 2025. According to Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac:
“On a median-priced home, this could allow a homebuyer
to save thousands annually compared to earlier this year, showing that affordability is slowly improving.”
Here's why that matters for you. This shift changes what you can actually afford. It means lower borrowing costs and more buying power. Take this as an example.
Data from Redfin shows a buyer with a $3,000 monthly budget can now afford roughly $25,000 more home than they could one year ago.
That’s a big deal. And it’s just one of the reasons why activity is picking up.
2. More Homeowners Are Ready To Sell
For a while, many homeowners stayed put because they didn’t want to give
up their low mortgage rate. That “lock-in effect” kept inventory tight. And while plenty of homeowners are still staying where they are today, the number of rate-locked homeowners is starting to ease as rates come down. Life changes are becoming a bigger part of what’s driving more people to move, and that’s opening up more inventory.
Data from Realtor.com shows just how much the number of homes
for sale has grown. And the really interesting part is that the market is
approaching levels that haven’t been seen
for the past six years (see the blue on the graph below):
That return to more normal inventory levels is a really good thing. It gives buyers more options than they’ve had in years. And it’s helping to bring the market closer to balance.
3. More Buyers Are Re-Entering the Market
And it’s not just sellers making moves. With more options and slightly better affordability, buyers are getting back in the game, too. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports purchase applications are up compared
to last year, a clear signal that demand is building again (see graph below):
And experts think this momentum will continue. Economists from Fannie Mae,
the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and
the National Association of Realtors (NAR) all forecast moderate sales growth going into 2026.
Now, this recovery won’t happen overnight. It’s not a flood of activity.
But it is the start of steady improvement going into 2026. And that's something a lot of people have been waiting for.
Bottom Line
After several slower-than-normal years, the market is finally starting to turn a corner. Declining mortgage rates, more listings, and growing buyer activity all point to a market gaining real traction.
Let’s connect to talk about what’s happening in our local market and how you can make the most of it in 2026.
The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know
Before Selling
Here’s something you should know before you sell your house. The homeowners who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting it out or stepping back.
They’re the ones who adapt from the start.
A number of homeowners this year didn’t get the outcome they wanted. But it’s not because something’s wrong with the market. It’s because something wasn’t right with their expectations.
Realtor.com reports 57% more homes have been taken off the market compared to last year. That means they listed... but didn’t sell. But here’s the honest truth. It was mostly because of two things: price and timing.
And if the seller had come in with the right mindset on each, their sale would’ve gone differently.
Here are the top 2 things you can learn from those other sellers.
1. Price It Right from Day 1
Let's start with the most common sticking point: the asking price. Today, 8 in 10
sellers expect to get their asking price or more. But that confidence doesn’t
always line up with reality.
According to Redfin, only 1 in 4 (25.3%) sellers are actually getting more than their list price. And here’s where the mismatch is coming from.
A few years ago, you could set any price and buyers would come running, no matter what the price tag said. Odds are,
you’d still sell for over asking. But things are different now.
Buyers have more options than they've had in years, so they can afford
to be more selective. If your price feels even a little
high to them, it’ll get overlooked in a heartbeat.
And for the homeowners who had that happen, some end up pulling their listings instead of making a simple adjustment that could have changed everything. Which is a shame, honestly. Because a small price tweak is usually all it takes to bring buyers in and get the deal done.
According to HousingWire, the average price cut right now is just 4%.
Think about that. Other sellers are listing too high and giving up rather than dropping their price 4%. If they’d just started 4% lower, they may have already sold. So, before you list, talk to your agent about what’s working nearby.
They’ll help you find the sweet spot that’s competitive, realistic, and still
protecting your bottom line. And here's the kicker. If you’ve been in your home for a while, your equity gives you room to set your list
price more competitively and still come out way ahead. Unfortunately, those
other sellers didn’t seem to realize that.
2. Don’t Rush the Process
Another common misstep: expecting your house to sell in a weekend.
Many sellers right now remember when homes sold in as little as hours – and they expect that to happen today. But in most markets, that's not the reality anymore.
It takes closer to 60 days to go from listed to sold, which is actually normal (see the gray in the graph below):
It just feels slower because they’re comparing it to the lightning-fast pace of 2020 and 2021.
Think of it like driving 65 mph on the highway, then exiting
and going 25. It feels like you’re crawling, but it’s actually the right speed for where you are. That’s what other sellers can’t seem to
get over. But you can get ahead of that, by knowing what to expect. Today’s buyers are more intentional. They’re taking their time, weighing their options, and making thoughtful decisions, which is creating a much healthier housing market.
So, if you’re planning to sell, don't expect it to happen instantly. And don’t assume your house won’t sell if it doesn’t go under contract in the first weekend.
It’s normal for these things to take time. If you want to make sure your house
sells as quickly as possible, talk to your agent about ways to stand out, whether that’s through staging, photography, or strategic pricing.
With the right advice, the right price, and the right prep work, it can still sell quickly.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about selling, don’t let the market
discourage you, let it guide you. The listings that didn’t sell
this year weren’t doomed. They just started with the
wrong strategy.
You can still win if you price right, are patient, and work with a local agent
who knows how to position your home from the start. Because in today’s market, success isn’t about waiting for conditions to change. It’s about getting your expectations right from day one.
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