Adam Empringham,
Director of Sales at Image Property.
Why now is the time to sell before the Christmas slowdown
As the year edges toward Christmas, the property market naturally shifts. Buyers begin thinking about holidays, travel, family commitments and wrapping up the year. That shift creates a very clear window of opportunity for owners who want to make a move before attention drops away.
If selling has been on your mind, acting now can make a real difference to enquiry, competition and the result you achieve. This period – late November through early December – is one of the most strategic times to enter the market.
Buyer motivation is still strong right now
Across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, buyer activity remains solid. Many are eager to secure a home before Christmas or set themselves up for a January settlement. There is a natural urgency in the air as people try to finalise their plans before the year ends.
Right now, buyers are attentive, responsive and actively inspecting homes. Once mid-December arrives, motivation fades as people focus on travel, family gatherings and time away. Enquiry slows for a few weeks, and even serious buyers press pause during this period.
Listing before this slowdown means you meet buyers at the exact moment they are still motivated to take action.
Lower competition gives your property an advantage
Every December, many owners choose to wait until the new year to launch. That decision pulls a significant amount of stock out of the market.
For you, that shift is beneficial.
With fewer homes available, buyer attention becomes more concentrated. Your property has less competition, stands out more clearly online and captures stronger enquiry from buyers who have fewer comparable options.
In a tight market, reduced competition can influence the level of urgency and the strength of offers you receive.
The timeline still works in your favour
There is still time for full preparation – photography, videography, copywriting, staging and marketing. Early December campaigns regularly create strong momentum before the holiday period begins.
You can attract meaningful enquiry during the first two weeks of December, negotiate with interested buyers and secure a result before people switch into holiday mode.
Even if settlement takes place in January, you’ll have the benefit of locking in a buyer now. It brings clarity, confidence and forward planning as you head into the new year.
Buyers want to be settled for the new year
A significant number of the buyers we speak to right now are hoping to make a move before the new year begins. Whether its families planning ahead or individuals wanting a fresh start, early January is a popular settlement preference.
Listing now aligns perfectly with that motivation. Your home could be the one they choose as they begin shaping their plans for 2026.
Momentum matters after Christmas
Once the market slows for Christmas, it generally takes a few weeks for activity to return to normal levels. Momentum builds again in mid-January as buyers refocus and new listings appear.
If your property enters the market now, you benefit from the final strength of 2025 while still being positioned to leverage early 2026 interest if needed. It’s a strong combination.
If selling is on your mind, now is the moment
If you’re considering making a move, the current window gives you timing, competition and buyer motivation all working in your favour.
Our experienced team can walk you through the preparation steps, the ideal launch timing and what the next few weeks could look like for your home.
Reach out when you’re ready and we’ll help you navigate this period with clarity, confidence and the right strategy.
