Clark County Real Estate During the Holidays

Don’t let pumpkin pie or mistletoe make you miss out on the joy of buying and selling real estate! If your holiday wishes include wanting to buy or sell, but waiting until next year sounds better, consider that existing home sales have increased from November to December the last three years. The market is not as sleepy as you think. Why?

Internet home shopping keeps going strong even in winter weather. Many or most buyers start their search online, and online shopping spikes during the holidays! If you’re a seller, you’ll benefit from decreased competition caused by others who decide to wait until spring to list their home. Buyers that tour your home are likely to be serious about finding a home. And many buyers have time off from work during the holidays to allow them to look at your home.

Sellers, don’t forget how good your home looks during the holidays, thanks to your decorating and getting it ready for visitors. If you price it to sell, tell your Realtor you want quality photos posted with the listing, and maximize curb appeal, a seller can take advantage of the season.

If you’re a buyer, some of the frenzied nature of the last year has cooled by an increase in homes listed for sale, making it less likely that properties will have multiple offers within minutes of the listing “going live.” That can still happen, as the “inventory” (number of homes listed for sale compared to number of closed sales) is still barely over two months, but a buyer’s chances are better now than before when that statistic was down to just one month.

Two final thoughts: (1) Make sure to tell your Realtor you prefer to use Clark County Title! We’d love to help you close on a new place to hang your boughs of holly! (2) We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We’re thankful you took the time to read this, and for trusting us with your real estate closings for 40 years!

Scott Hogan
Clark County Title
Scott@ClarkCountyTitle.com

360-694-4722
1400 Washington St, Ste. 100
Vancouver, WA

360-787-9197
3200 SE 164th Avenue, Ste. 219
Vancouver, WA 98683