I can’t believe I’m sharing this, but I just had the most frustrating experience trying to schedule property showings for a pre-approved buyer. Out of the five homes I contacted for appointments, only one allowed a showing. The other responses were variations of this excuse, and I quote one seller’s agent: “My clients don’t want their house shown over the holidays because everything is so busy. How about January?”
I’m sorry. What?
Yes, the holiday season is hectic. We all know that. But let’s be honest – if your house is on the market, isn’t it because you want to sell it? If a real estate agent wants to show your home, it’s because their client is considering buying it. Turning away buyers, especially those who are pre-approved and working with tight timelines, isn’t just frustrating for agents – it could cost you the sale. The real question sellers should ask themselves is: How can you manage showings during the holidays while maintaining your sanity?
If you absolutely cannot allow showings for a specific timeframe, talk to your agent about changing your home’s status to “Hold Do Not Show.” This option keeps your listing visible to potential buyers while ensuring no one is scheduling showings during your holiday weekend or special events. While this might increase your Days on Market (DOM) in some MLS systems, it’s far better than frustrating motivated buyers who then cross your home off their list.
For those considering taking their home off the market entirely for an extended period, a “Withdrawn” status may be an option. This suspends active marketing and showing requests while still preserving the possibility of returning to market without starting from scratch. However, most agents won’t recommend this unless it’s absolutely necessary, as it could reduce your visibility and momentum with serious buyers.
According to real estate expert Kathy Opperman, “Navigating holiday showings doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Sellers can designate blackout dates or limited showing windows, which helps balance buyer interest and holiday peace of mind. Flexibility is key to capturing buyers who are motivated even during this busy season.”
It’s also worth noting that weekdays are often a tough sell for buyers in our market area, particularly during the holidays. They’re dealing with the same time constraints you are – holiday shopping, travel, and events – and are unlikely to take time off work to see a home. But if a serious buyer makes time to view your property during this season, it’s worth accommodating them if you can.
The homeowners who declined my client’s showing request might miss out on a sale. My clients are pre-approved and need to close on a property before the end of the year. Sellers who remain flexible and open to showings, even during the holidays, are more likely to capture opportunities like this. After all, your goal is to sell your home, not push buyers away.
If you’d like to learn more about the current local market conditions, reach out to Theresa Grant, Real Estate Broker (DRE #01202881), at Theresa@HomesInLakeArrowhead.com. You can also follow on social – Instagram: @theresagrantrealtor|YouTube: @theresagrantrealtor. Theresa is a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty.
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