Should You Move Before the Holidays? The Honest October Answer

I’m Austin Curtiss, a Coldwell Banker realtor here in Lancaster County. Every October, I get the same question from buyers and sellers sitting on the fence: should we do this now, or wait until after the holidays?

It’s a fair question. Moving between October and December sounds chaotic. But the honest answer is more interesting than you’d think. There are real advantages to a holiday-season move, and real drawbacks. Let’s walk through both, no sales pitch.

The Case for Moving Before the Holidays

Only serious buyers are shopping. The looky-loos and “maybe someday” crowd check out after Labor Day. The buyers touring homes in November are motivated: relocations, job changes, leases ending, life happening. As a seller, that means fewer showings but higher-quality ones. As a buyer, it means less competition at every showing.

Sellers are motivated. Nobody lists in November for fun. Sellers on the market right now usually need to move, which means they’re more open to negotiation, more flexible on timelines, and more likely to work with you on repairs or closing costs. Fall 2026’s serious-seller market is real.

Less competition for buyers. Per Bright MLS, we’re in a seller’s market with about 26 days on market on average. But that average hides the seasonal pattern. Spring brings bidding wars. October through December brings breathing room. You might actually get an inspection contingency accepted. Imagine that.

Possible tax timing. Closing before year-end can matter for taxes, depending on your situation. Property tax deductions, mortgage interest, moving for a job, these can all factor into the current tax year if you close by December 31. I’m not a tax advisor, so talk to yours, but the calendar is a legitimate factor.

Settle in before the new year. There’s something deeply satisfying about hanging your own lights on your own house, hosting the holidays in your new place, and starting January already home. For buyers, that emotional payoff is real.

The Case for Waiting Until January

Inventory gets thin. Fewer people list during the holidays, full stop. If you’re a buyer with specific needs, a certain school zone, a must-have layout, three-car garage, you may find slim pickings in December. Less competition helps, but only if there’s something worth competing for.

Holiday chaos is real. Try scheduling movers the week of Thanksgiving. Try getting a contractor to do a pre-closing repair between Christmas and New Year’s. Try packing boxes while hosting family. The logistics of a holiday move test even organized people.

School-year disruption. If you have kids in school, a mid-year move means new teachers, new routines, new everything, right in the middle of the academic calendar. Some families handle it fine. Others find the spring or summer timing much gentler. Know your kids.

Lender and title timelines can stretch. Everyone takes time off in December. Underwriters, title companies, attorneys, they’re all working with skeleton crews around the holidays. A closing that takes 30 days in October can take 45 in December. Build in buffer or be ready to flex.

Emotional fatigue. The holidays are already a lot. Adding the biggest financial transaction of your life on top is not for everyone. There’s no shame in deciding your bandwidth is better spent elsewhere until January.

The Mid-Year Move Angle Worth Considering

Here’s a thought that doesn’t get enough airtime. If your kids are struggling in their current school situation, or your commute is eating your family alive, waiting for the “perfect” summer window means months more of a bad situation.

A mid-year move, handled well, can be a fresh start. Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for, especially when the move comes with their own room, a yard, or a shorter drive to practice. I’ve helped families move in November who told me by February it was the best decision they ever made.

The key is being intentional about it. Tour schools, talk to the kids honestly, and time the move for a natural break like Thanksgiving week or winter break when you can.

So What’s the Honest Answer?

It depends on which side of the fence you’re on:

Sellers with a home that’s ready now: list. Serious buyers, less competition from other sellers, motivated purchasers. October and November are underrated listing months.
Buyers who are pre-approved and know what they want: shop now. You’ll face less competition and more negotiable sellers than you’ll see in April.
Anyone who isn’t ready: don’t force it. A rushed move before the holidays that falls apart in December helps nobody. Get pre-approved, get your home ready, and hit January running.

The worst reason to move in November is panic. The best reason is a plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is October a good month to list a home in Lancaster County?

It can be. You’ll face less seller competition than in spring, and the buyers who are active are serious and motivated. Homes still move in about 26 days on market per Bright MLS. If your home is ready, October is a strong window.

Will I get a better deal buying in December?

Often, yes. Motivated sellers, less buyer competition, and year-end timing can all work in a buyer’s favor. The trade-off is thinner inventory, so you need to be decisive when the right home appears.

How do holiday schedules affect closing timelines?

Expect things to move slower in late December. Lenders, title companies, and attorneys run lean over the holidays. If you’re targeting a December close, build in extra time and stay in close contact with everyone involved.

Should we move mid-school-year or wait for summer?

There’s no universal answer. If your current situation is working, summer is logistically easier. If your kids are unhappy or your commute is unsustainable, a well-planned mid-year move during a school break can be the right call. Talk it through as a family.

What should I do now if I’m thinking about a January move?

Start now. Get pre-approved, talk to an agent about your target neighborhoods and price range, and if you’re selling, begin the prep work. January buyers who started in October are the ones who win in the spring market.

Let’s Talk It Through

This is exactly the kind of decision that deserves a real conversation, not a blog post verdict. Your timeline, your finances, your family, your goals. If you’re on the fence about moving before the holidays, let’s talk it through honestly and figure out what makes sense for you.

Call or text me at (717) 406-7337