Before You Make a Move

December is not when most people act in real estate — but it is when the smartest decisions are made.

When the market slows, pressure drops. That creates the right conditions to plan properly, rather than react quickly. For homeowners wondering when to start planning a sale or how early is too early, December is often the most overlooked — and most effective — time to begin.

Here is what December is actually good for:

First, deciding whether selling actually makes sense.
Before talking about price or timing, this is the moment to step back and ask the harder question: Should you sell at all? That includes reviewing lifestyle needs, carrying costs, tax considerations, and what you realistically want next. This is not a spring conversation. It’s a thinking conversation — and it should happen before any commitment to timing.

Second, assessing your home’s condition honestly.
December is the right time to evaluate condition without the pressure of an imminent listing. What is cosmetic versus functional? What will a buyer notice immediately, and what truly does not matter? This is when we decide what to fix, what to leave alone, and what simply needs to be disclosed — calmly and strategically.

Third, sequencing the work — if any.
Rushed preparation is expensive preparation. December allows us to prioritize correctly, line up contractors if needed, and avoid unnecessary projects that don’t change outcome or value. Good sequencing almost always saves money and reduces stress later.

Fourth, deciding the right timing to sell — not guessing.
Rather than defaulting to “spring,” December planning lets us decide why and when to come to market based on your goals, not the calendar. Some homes benefit from waiting. Others don’t. That decision should be intentional, not assumed.

By the time spring arrives, the best outcomes usually belong to homeowners who did their thinking early — not those scrambling to catch up. In real estate, the best time to make decisions is rarely when everyone else is rushing.

If a move is on your horizon, December is a good time for a quiet planning conversation.