Should I wait until January 2009 to list my house?

The “urban legend” says that you should sell your home in the spring or early summer because most home sales occur during that time.

My observation is that there are fewer home buyers around Christmas but also fewer homes for sale. So the supply and demand tend to balance out and make it still a fine time of year to sell a house.

I would decorate the house, but decorate lightly for Christmas (and I would decorate it as early as the middle of November if you have your home on the market then). It makes the house look more like a home and actually shows that there is room to celebrate a family Christmas in this home.

If you wait until spring you will find more buyers but also a lot more competition from additional sellers.

Days on the market probably doesn't matter much for December - not many people are looking then anyway. And average DOM is meaningless anyway other than as a general guide, it's YOUR house you are interested in, and that could end up well over or under the average DOM. I'd go ahead and list it, on the chance that a buyer might turn up, but don't expect a lot of action until after the end of the year.

Price depends on where you are located - in some areas, prices have held pretty well, in others, prices are really in the tank and you might have to take a loss. The argument for listing a lower price is that more people will look at it - but with a somewhat higher price, you have room for negotiation, or for dropping the price. Ask the realtors when the houses sold that they are using for their competitive analysis, and what THEIR DOM was if that info is available.

Good luck.

It is becoming very difficult to gauge your market value due to rapid changes in the market. Average DOM is becoming pretty meaningless, too. One house closes in 3 weeks, another languishes on the market for over a year. One goes for near asking price, another goes for half (or less) of its 2007 price.

List it now & you may get lucky and have to be out by Christmas. Or it could sit through next year.

Do NOT pick an agent based on the comps they you. Pick the one that sells the most houses in your area, has the most innovative (or at least comprehensive) marketing plan, and get references from people whose houses s/he SOLD.

And make sure your house is immaculate! Start weeding out the stuff you are not taking with you, and start packing your knick-knacks, pics, some books, etc. Make your home look more spacious, immaculate, and make sure it smells good!