Holiday Property Sales: What You Need to Know

The Christmas–New Year period is one of the most unique times of the year in the real estate industry. While buyer activity remains strong, the way contracts progress, how settlements are organised, and even how a property is presented can all be affected by the holiday shutdowns. Understanding these seasonal factors allows sellers to plan ahead and keep their campaign running smoothly.

Holiday Office Closures and Their Impact on Contracts

From mid-December through early January, many conveyancers, banks, solicitors, building and pest inspectors, and even some trades shut down or operate with reduced staff. This can affect:

Timeframes for Finance and Building & Pest

Buyers may require longer to confirm finance or book inspections due to limited availability. A contract that would normally progress quickly can take additional days—or even weeks—during this window.

How to mitigate:

• Consider allowing a slightly longer finance or B&P period when signing contracts between mid-December and early January.
• Engage a conveyancer who remains partially operational over the break or can pre-arrange requirements before the shutdown.
• Ensure all necessary property documents (disclosure, rates, water, improvements, insurance) are prepared in advance to avoid delays on your side.

Delays in Settlement Processing

Banks and solicitors often work with skeleton staff over the holidays. This may slow down settlement bookings, fund transfers, and document verification.

How to mitigate:

• When possible, nominate a settlement date that falls after the major public holidays.
• Encourage buyers to work with their lenders early and lock in required documentation before the break.
• Obtain written confirmation from your solicitor regarding their holiday availability to avoid last-minute surprises.

Reduced Face-to-Face Availability

Tradespeople, stylists, and cleaners also take extended breaks. If you plan to prepare your home during this period, availability can be limited.

How to mitigate:

• Schedule any maintenance, cleaning, or staging well before Christmas.
• If receiving multiple offers, consider shorter campaign windows or pre-market strategies to secure a buyer before major shutdown dates.

Buyer Activity Over Christmas: Is It Slower or Stronger?

Although many assume the market “goes quiet,” the opposite is often true. Buyers who are actively searching during the holidays are usually highly motivated. They have time off work to attend inspections and are often keen to secure a property before the new year begins.

Key advantage for sellers: Fewer competing listings + highly motivated buyers = strong negotiation conditions.

On-line property searches: Online property search activity typically spikes over the Christmas and New Year period and continues into January, making it one of the strongest times of the year for buyer enquiry. With many people off work, reassessing their plans and browsing real estate platforms, listing numbers remain noticeably lower as most sellers wait until late January or February to launch. This combination of high buyer demand and reduced competition means well-presented properties can attract stronger engagement, higher inspection rates and, in some cases, premium prices—making it an advantageous time to come to market or prepare your property for an early-year launch.

Styling a Home for the Holidays (Without Undermining Your Sale)

Festive styling can make a home feel warm and inviting, but when it comes to selling, balance is crucial.

Why Christmas Decorations Should Not Appear in Your Listing Photos

Professional marketing typically occurs before Christmas decorations go up for a reason:

• Decorations timestamp your photos and make them feel outdated if the campaign runs into January.
• They can distract from the property’s features and reduce visual simplicity.
• Overly personal or themed décor can limit the buyer’s emotional connection if they don’t celebrate the same traditions.

How to Decorate While Your Home Is Still on the Market

You can still embrace the season, but choose a subtle approach.

• Keep decorations minimal and neutral: soft greenery, a simple wreath, or understated table decor.
• Avoid large Christmas trees that take up floor space or obstruct key sightlines.
• Remove personal items such as family stockings, personalised ornaments, and religious décor.
• Ensure decorations are removed ahead of private inspections to keep the focus on the home itself.

Quick tip: Choose one small, sophisticated holiday accent (like a neutral wreath or a bowl of pinecones) that enhances rather than competes with your styling.

Selling during the Christmas–New Year period presents unique timing and presentation challenges, but with proper preparation, it can also deliver excellent results. Motivated buyers, reduced competition, and the emotional appeal of a well-presented home all work in your favour. By planning your contract dates carefully and keeping festive styling elegant and straightforward, you can ensure your sale progresses smoothly through the holiday season.