Your checklist to Selling Your Home Before the Holidays

As the winter months approach and the real estate market begins to get a bit slower, selling your house can be a bit different than in the summer.

As November and December come into view, you'll find that there may be fewer buyers but the ones who are interested are highly motivated.

Here is a quick check list to help you prepare to sell in this fast-paced season.

Handle the proper paperwork

Before you can get started on anything else, you have to focus on the paperwork. In New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, there are mandatory property disclosure forms which include infrastructure topics like sewage, water and insulation. As well, you will want to make sure you have the deed and tax records ready. Additionally, it's common for buyers to want to see evidence of the price of heating the home in the colder months, so a good-to-have on hand is a record of your utility bills available to share.

Polish up the winter maintenance

As the climate gets colder, you'll want to keep in mind the temperature experience of potential buyers during their visit. Inspect and seal any weatherstripping to prevent a draft from coming in around the doors and windows. Fix any issues with the heating system so it is in tip-top shape and change the furnace filters. You'll also want to hire an inspector to confirm the heat pump or boiler works well so you can show visitors when they're interested in your home for sale. As for outdoor plumbing, make sure you winterize it by turning off the valves and disconnecting hoses.

Get to work on pricing and market launch

During the winter months if you price too high, the sale can take longer than if you set a competitive price. Work with your agent to compare to very recent similar local sales as you set your price and keep in mind there is risk of delay if too high. When it comes to the market launch, work with your agent to make sure you have many fresh photos taken professionally.


There you have your checklist to sell your house before the holiday slow-down period. Paperwork, maintenance, and market launch. Finally, to help speed up a sale before the market slows down at the holidays, work with your agent to see if there are special incentives that you can offer.

-Courtney Edgar is a lifestyle journalist and copywriter based in Montreal. Her work has been published in HuffPost, Pop Sugar, Atlas Obscura, Explore Mag, and more.