The holiday season is often associated with rest, family, and revelry… but it’s also

The holiday season is often associated with rest, family, and joy... but it is also one of the best times of the year to start preparing to put your home on the market.

First, the Quebec real estate market remains highly seasonal. The big wave of new listings arrives in the spring. By getting into preparation mode as early as December-January (sorting, de-cluttering, minor repairs, planning renovations), you get a head start. When most sellers are just starting to mobilize, your property can be ready to stand out with professional photos and a well-planned marketing approach.

Next, the holiday season offers something valuable: time. Schedules are often more flexible, commuting to work decreases, and many homeowners spend more time at home. This is the ideal opportunity to take stock of improvements to make, review documents (survey certificate, work invoices, warranties, etc.), and meet with a real estate professional to discuss strategy, price, and timeline.

Emotionally, this period also encourages a step back. Between family gatherings, many begin to reflect on their life plans for the coming year: moving, closer to work, a school change for the children, downsizing from a too-large house... This clarity helps to make more structured decisions about the optimal time to sell.

Finally, preparing rather than rushing is often rewarding. A well-maintained, neutral, uncluttered, and well-documented property inspires buyer confidence and can justify a better price, especially during the strong spring market.

In short, taking advantage of the relative calm of the holiday season to prepare is turning a period of reflection into a strategic market advantage.