You hear Realtors around the Roanoke region talk so much about the busy spring and summer selling seasons, you might think listing your home during the holidays is a bad idea. But if your house is ready to go on the market now, there are several reasons to go ahead and list.

1. Buyers are serious about finding a home.

Typically you'll have fewer buyers in the market, but the ones who are out there are planning to buy now. Often, they have tax- or job-related reasons for wanting to complete the transaction before the end of the year or just after Jan. 1.

Also, it doesn't take much motivation to go out on a gorgeous spring day and look at homes. But this time of year, when it starts getting dark early and the weather gets cold and sometimes messy, buyers who are out there looking are seriously motivated.

2. You're up against less competition.

Many sellers tend to do one of two things this time of year:

• Take their properties off the market because they'll have some extra time to make repairs, or because they don't want the hassle of showings during the holidays.

• They decide to wait on listing their homes and use the time to get them ready for the first of the year.

Depending on your personal situation, the market and the condition of your house, either one of those moves can be appropriate. As a result, we tend to see the inventory dip a little. All listings -- but especially fresh ones -- are going to get more attention when there are fewer choices on the market.

And remember, we can time showings around your schedule, so having your home on the market doesn't have to completely disrupt your family time.

3. Homes show well over the holidays.

Having your home trimmed up for the holidays can be great staging. Keep it tasteful and don't go overboard -- you'll risk distracting from your home's best features. Even a few sprigs of greenery can add a nice touch.

The key is to make your home warm and inviting. That's always the case, but never more so than this time of year. People have family on their minds, and each buyer wants to be able to imagine their family in your home.

4. Buyers often have more time off.

People's schedules vary, of course, but many buyers have a little additional time off over the holidays. With kids out of school, it can also be an easier time to get the whole family together or to travel if a buyer is relocating.

5. The online market is always in season.

Buyers who intend to start looking after the first of the year will often begin searching properties in the weeks before, especially if they have time off. Listing your home now gets it in front of those buyers.

6. The buying process can be smoother.

In a typical year, mortgage lenders and title companies are not nearly as busy now as they will be after the first of the year and into spring. This can mean fewer hiccups along the way and faster closings.

What if I'm already on the market?

If your house has been on the market for a month or more, this is a good time to talk to your Realtor about your marketing and pricing strategy. Consider how much traffic you've been getting and whether you've received any offers to decide whether you should adjust the price. Talk about any negative feedback you've gotten that should be addressed. Take a second look at your listing and think about refreshing photos or changing the language.

Contact me anytime to discuss a holiday-listing strategy for your home. Call me at (540) 793-0442 or email me at rpayne@mkbrealtors.com.