Around this time of year, I start hearing a version of the same question:

“Should I put my home on the market now, or would I be better off waiting until January?”

I understand why homeowners ask.

Once October arrives, Thanksgiving and the December holidays suddenly don’t feel very far away. It can seem easier to put everything on hold and start fresh after New Year’s.

But I don’t think the calendar alone should make that decision for you.

There are situations where waiting makes sense. There are also situations where listing before the end of the year may work perfectly well.

Here’s what I’d look at first.

What Is the Burbank Market Doing Right Now?

The latest September data gives us some useful context.

Burbank had 223 active listings, with a median asking price of about $1.15 million. Homes spent a median 45 days on the market, and Realtor.com currently describes Burbank as a balanced market, meaning buyer demand and available supply are relatively close. Homes also sold for approximately 100% of asking price on average during September. Realtor

To me, that says sellers shouldn’t assume that simply listing a home will create immediate competition.

But it also doesn’t tell me that sellers need to wait until spring.

The individual home still matters.

One Advantage of Selling Later in the Year

One thing I pay attention to in the fall is competition from other sellers.

Across the Los Angeles market, new listings were down 1.9% year over year in September, even though overall active inventory was higher. Realtor

That can matter.

If fewer homeowners decide to list as the year winds down, a well-prepared Burbank property may be competing against a smaller group of fresh listings than it would during a busier season.

That doesn’t automatically mean the home will sell faster or for more money.

It simply means I’d want to look at the homes you would actually be competing with before deciding that waiting is automatically better.

Buyers Looking in the Fall May Have a Reason

People who are actively touring homes in October, November, and December usually have some reason they’re still looking.

Maybe they need to move for work.

Maybe their current home has sold.

Maybe their lease is ending.

Maybe they’ve been searching for months and finally found the right neighborhood.

Maybe they simply don’t want to wait until next year.

Realtor.com noted that the Los Angeles market tends to see more purposeful activity during the October-to-December period, even though Southern California doesn’t have the dramatic seasonal slowdown seen in colder parts of the country. Realtor

I think that distinction matters.

You may have fewer casual buyers, but the people who are looking can still be very serious about moving.

There Are Reasons I Might Recommend Waiting

Selling before the holidays isn’t automatically the right decision either.

I might suggest waiting if:

• You need significant repairs or preparation
• You aren’t comfortable having showings during the holidays
• Your next housing plan isn’t clear yet
• A stronger group of competing listings may leave the market soon
• You simply aren’t ready

I’d rather have a homeowner wait and prepare properly than rush a property onto the market because they feel they need to beat some imaginary deadline.

Mortgage Rates Are Part of the Conversation Too

Affordability remains a real issue for buyers.

Freddie Mac reported an average 7.40% rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage as of Oct. 8, compared with 7.28% one week earlier. Freddie Mac

Higher borrowing costs can make buyers more careful about what they’re willing to pay and which homes they pursue.

That’s another reason I’d want the pricing, presentation, and condition of a fall listing to make sense from the beginning.

I Wouldn’t Wait for January Just Because It’s January

January doesn’t automatically create a better market.

There may be more buyers.

There may also be more sellers.

Mortgage rates could move.

Inventory could change.

Your own timeline could change too.

Instead of trying to guess whether January will be “better,” I’d start with what we actually know about your situation today.

I’d look at:

1. What similar homes have sold for recently
2. What buyers would compare your home with right now
3. How much preparation your home needs
4. How quickly you need or want to move
5. What happens after you sell

Once those pieces are clear, the calendar becomes only one part of the decision.

Sometimes the Right Time Is Simply the Time That Works for You

Real estate headlines tend to make selling sound very seasonal.

Burbank is a little different.

People live, work, relocate, buy, and sell here throughout the year.

If you’re considering a move this fall, I wouldn’t automatically tell you to rush.

And I wouldn’t automatically tell you to wait.

I’d first want to see what your home would be competing with and whether selling now fits what you’re trying to accomplish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is October too late to list a home in Burbank?

No. Homes continue to list and sell throughout the fall. Whether it makes sense for your property depends more on current competition, condition, pricing, and your own timeline.

Are there fewer buyers during the holidays?

Buyer activity can change later in the year, but people who need or want to move are still searching. I’d look at current local showing and listing activity rather than assuming demand disappears.

Would I get more money if I waited until spring?

There’s no guarantee. Prices, mortgage rates, competition, and buyer demand can all change between now and spring.

How far in advance should I prepare if I want to sell before the end of the year?

I’d start as early as possible. Even a home that needs very little work still benefits from time to review pricing, preparation, photography, and the competition before it goes live.

Thinking About Selling Before the End of the Year?

If you’ve been wondering whether it makes more sense to sell this fall or wait until next year, I’m happy to look at your home and the current Burbank competition with you.

You don’t have to decide first. Sometimes seeing the numbers and your options makes the decision much clearer.

Becky Richards
REALTOR® | Equity Union
CA DRE #01767305
(818) 515-8685
[email protected]
BeckySellsLA.com