Why Three Good Weekends Can Make All the Difference
As we edge toward the end of the year, there’s a noticeable shift in the real estate rhythm. Listings are still coming on, offers are often arriving in the first week, and activity is strong — but the calendar starts to matter more than ever.
I always recommend allowing at least three good weekends for any end-of-year campaign. Yes, you might get a quick offer in week one, but the best result usually comes from giving the market time to breathe.
The first weekend brings your most active, ready-to-go buyers. Weeks two and three are where things really mature — the best buyers are often inspecting then, not because they were slow to act, but because they’re deliberate. This window gives interstate or out-of-area buyers the chance to fly up and see the property in person, and it allows enough time for proper negotiations to unfold. That’s often when an outlier offer — the one that sits above the rest — becomes clear.
Cutting a campaign short can sometimes mean missing that moment entirely.
The Christmas Period Isn’t the Stop Sign People Think It Is
There’s a common belief that real estate stops over Christmas. It doesn’t — it just changes pace. The number of people actively inspecting properties dips as holidays begin, but there are still plenty of buyers quietly scrolling, shortlisting, and planning their next move.
In fact, since I started in real estate, I’ve done at least one deal every single Christmas period. The buyers don’t vanish — they just become more selective. The key challenge for sellers is that the right buyer might already have travel plans and simply miss the chance to see your property if you launch too late.
Timing Is Everything
If you’re thinking of selling before the year wraps up, the goal is to balance exposure with timing. Three strong weekends on the market gives your property maximum reach before the festive season distractions begin.
And if you’re a buyer, remember: the quieter weeks can sometimes present opportunities that others overlook.
Whether the goal is to sell before Santa arrives or to set yourself up for a fresh start in the new year, the right timing — not rushed timing — is what delivers the best results.
Planning the Launch
Good timing doesn’t just apply to the campaign itself — it starts well before the listing goes live. To launch a property properly, I generally need three days to contact qualified buyers, prepare the database, book photography, and coordinate marketing materials. If the property is being staged, most styling companies require around two weeks’ notice to schedule installation.
It’s never too early to include me in your thought process. When we work backwards from your desired launch date, the right timeline becomes clear — and that preparation is often what separates a smooth campaign from a rushed one..