Caul Group Residential, brokered by eXp Realty
Yes, you can sell your home during the holidays, and for some Triangle sellers listing now is a better fit than waiting for spring. The right choice comes down to your timeline, your next move, your tax picture and how homes like yours are selling near you right now, which a local comparative market analysis can show you.
Below we walk through the reasons to list now, the reasons to wait, the tax and closing dates to plan around, and how to get your home ready for holiday showings. If you want a number for your home first, you can request a free home value report at any time.
Reasons to list your home before the new year
- Your timeline is set. If you have a new job, a home under contract elsewhere or a move date, waiting a few months can mean paying for two homes or moving twice.
- Buyers shopping now often have a reason. People who tour homes in late fall and winter may be working around a job start, a lease ending or a move to the area.
- Your home may stand out. Ask your agent how many homes like yours are for sale in your neighborhood today. In some areas there may be fewer listings to compete with this time of year.
- You want the sale in this tax year. The IRS uses the date of sale, which is generally the closing date, so a December closing and a January closing fall in different tax years (more on this below).
- Your home shows well in cooler months. A cozy, well-lit home with simple decorations can feel welcoming to buyers.
Reasons to wait until spring
- Your home needs work. If repairs, paint or updates will take a few weeks, it can make sense to finish them and list when the home is ready.
- Your yard is a big selling point. Gardens, lawns and outdoor spaces usually photograph better once things are green again.
- You are close to the 2-year mark. If you are a few months short of owning and living in the home for 2 years, waiting may affect your capital gains exclusion (see the tax section).
- You are hosting for the holidays. If you have guests staying with you or travel plans, keeping the home ready for showings may be more stress than it is worth.
- You have no deadline. If nothing is pushing you to move, you have time to prepare and pick the timing that suits you.
Tax timing: when does your sale count?
For federal taxes, the IRS says your home's date of sale is shown in box 1 of Form 1099-S. If you did not get that form, the date of sale is the date title transferred or the date the burdens and benefits of ownership shifted to the buyer, whichever came first. The IRS notes these dates are usually the same (IRS Publication 523).
If you have a gain on the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of it from your income, or up to $500,000 if you file a joint return with your spouse. In general you need to meet both an ownership test and a use test (IRS Topic 701). IRS Publication 523 explains that this means owning the home and living in it for at least 2 of the 5 years before the date of sale, which it describes as the date of the closing (IRS Publication 523).
Two things to check with your CPA or tax advisor before you pick a list date:
- Whether a closing in December or in January works better for your tax return.
- Whether you will meet the 2-year ownership and use tests by your planned closing date.
This is general information, not tax advice. Your own situation may have exceptions or partial exclusions that change the answer.
Wake County homeowners: the 2027 revaluation
Wake County is updating assessed values to reflect market value as of January 1, 2027. The County says the results will be presented to the Board of Commissioners on January 19, 2027, and notices of assessed value will be mailed to all property owners that same week (Wake County Revaluation FAQ).
If you list in early 2027, buyers may see your new assessed value in the county records. Keep in mind that an assessed value is a tax value, not a list price. Our guide on how accurate online home value estimates are explains how tax values, online estimates, comparative market analyses and appraisals differ.
Plan your closing around holiday dates
If your buyer is using a mortgage, the lender must give them the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing (CFPB). For this rule, federal regulations count every day except Sundays and legal public holidays such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day (12 CFR 1026.2).
That means a holiday in the middle of that window can push a closing back a day. Lenders, attorneys and movers may also have reduced hours around the holidays, so ask everyone on your closing team about their schedules early and leave some room in your dates.
How to get your home ready for holiday showings
- Keep decorations simple. A wreath, a few lights and a small tree are plenty. Buyers want to see the rooms, windows and floors.
- Take listing photos in daylight. Days are shorter this time of year, so schedule photos when there is good natural light.
- Turn on the lights. Leave lights on for evening showings, inside and on the porch.
- Keep walkways and steps clear. Rake leaves, sweep the entry and clear any ice so buyers can get to the door easily.
- Set a comfortable temperature. A warm home on a cold day makes buyers want to stay and look.
- Make a showing plan. Tell your agent your holiday dates and travel plans so showings work around them.
- Secure gifts and valuables. Put packages, gifts and personal items out of sight before each showing.
A quick checklist to decide
- When do you need to be in your next home?
- Does your home need repairs or updates before it goes on the market?
- When does a closing work best for your taxes and your 2-year mark?
- How many homes like yours are for sale near you right now, and what have similar homes sold for?
- Can you keep the home ready for showings around your holiday plans?
For the last question on sales, you can start with the county's free records. Our guide on how to look up a home sale price in Wake County shows you how.
Thinking about selling?
Whether you list next week or next spring, a good plan starts with a good number. Request your free home value report or call us at (919) 263-7653. To learn how the selling process works, visit our Sell My Home page, and find quick answers in our Raleigh seller FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a bad idea to sell a house during the holidays?
Not necessarily. Homes are listed and sold in every season. Selling during the holidays can work well if you have a set timeline or want to close this tax year. Waiting may make more sense if your home needs work or you are hosting guests.
Should I sell my house in winter or wait until spring?
It depends on your timeline, the condition of your home, your tax situation and how many similar homes are for sale near you. A local comparative market analysis can show you current sales and listings for homes like yours so you can compare both options.
When does a home sale count for taxes?
The IRS uses the date of sale, which appears in box 1 of Form 1099-S. Without that form, it is the date title transferred or the date the burdens and benefits of ownership shifted to the buyer, whichever is earlier. These are usually the same date. Ask a CPA how December and January closings compare for you.
Do holidays delay a closing?
They can. For the Closing Disclosure rule, business days exclude Sundays and legal public holidays like Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, so a holiday inside the three-business-day window can push closing back. Ask your lender and closing attorney about their holiday schedules early.
Will the Wake County 2027 revaluation change what my home sells for?
The revaluation sets your assessed value for property taxes. It does not set your list price or sale price. Wake County says notices of assessed value will be mailed the week of January 19, 2027.
Sources checked October 29, 2026: IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home; IRS Topic 701, Sale of your home; Wake County Revaluation FAQ; CFPB, What is a Closing Disclosure?; 12 CFR 1026.2, definitions. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice.
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