Why Would Anyone Move During the Holidays? (Actually, More People Do Than You Think.)

Every year around this time, someone asks me, “Tyler, who would move in November or December? Isn’t the market dead until spring?”

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It’s a fair question — between LSU football, family gatherings, and Christmas lights going up all over Baton Rouge, moving might sound like the last thing anyone would want to do. But here’s the truth: the holidays can actually be one of the best times of year to buy or sell a home.

🎁 Less Competition, More Opportunity

While most people are waiting until January to list, smart sellers know the buyers out shopping right now are serious. These aren’t “just-looking” buyers — they’re ready to make decisions before the year ends. That means fewer showings to deal with and more qualified offers when they do come in.

For buyers, fewer competing offers can mean better negotiating power, faster closings, and in some cases, even price flexibility from sellers who want to start the new year with a clean slate.

🏡 The Emotional Side of “Home”

There’s something magical about closing on a home right before Christmas — decorating a new living room for the first time, hosting family in a fresh space, or just knowing the new year will start in a place that’s truly yours.

For families with school-age kids, the timing can also make perfect sense. Moving during the holiday break means no classroom disruptions and a smooth transition before the spring semester.

🌟 Real Estate Doesn’t Stop for Santa

Even with the holiday slowdown, life keeps moving — job relocations, growing families, and new opportunities don’t take time off. And with government-backed loan programs back on track after the recent shutdown, buyers using FHA, VA, or USDA loans are finally seeing progress again.

So while the rest of the world is sipping eggnog, some Baton Rouge families are unlocking new front doors — and starting their next chapter.

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Thinking about making a move before the year ends?
Let’s build a plan that fits your holiday schedule — and maybe have you in your new home before the gumbo pot hits the stove.

📞 Tyler Terrebonne
Engel & Völkers Baton Rouge
📧 tyler.terrebonne@evrealestate.com
📱 225-341-0081