It depends on your situation. If you absolutely must sell now (or start trying now) due to your financial situation, by all means, put your house on the market! Be sure to price it right and talk to a real estate agent you trust beforehand. There are some buyers searching for homes at this time of year.

However, if you can wait to sell, even just a month, it might be smart for you to wait until January or February. More buyers will be out searching for homes after the new year. December is generally a slow month for real estate because most folks are focusing their time and energy on the holidays, parties, and family and friends.

So, if you do decide to put your house on the market now, should you decorate your home for the holidays? Or let this season pass without changing your original decor? A staging expert with REALTOR Magazine says it depends on your neighborhood and area. Most neighborhoods in the Harrisonburg area do indeed spruce up for the holidays. It is not a bad thing to decorate for the holidays, especially in the Shenandoah Valley. Just be sure to follow these tips from Erica Christoffer at Styled, Staged, and Sold (and perhaps get photos re-taken after the new year!):

• Less is definitely more.
• Avoid displaying holiday collections… if I were selling my home, I’d want people to look at my home, not my collection.
• Decorations should be in good condition.
• Use an artificial tree for this year.
• Never leave tree lights on when you are not home. If you have a showing booked, turn the lights on just before the appointment and be sure to come back right after to turn them off.
• Consider the safety of small children that may be coming through your home.

For more tips on selling your home, visit our For Sellers page.