Each year, as the holidays approach, I often show property to out of state buyers.  Typically they are visiting for the holidays and loved ones are encouraging them to move to beautiful Southern California.  At this time of year, our skies are clear, the air is crisp, (the fires are extinguished, no recent earthquakes) what’s not to love?

I have a client with parents visiting from back east and she wanted them to get an idea what they might be able to purchase in Pasadena – Montrose in the under $500,000 range (condos okay).  I was certainly happy to show her parents property so that they could get a feel for the different neighborhoods.  But I did need to clarify that much of what is remaining on the market at Christmas are the leftovers.  Sure, there may be a few foreclosure listings and there are several new construction projects which haven’t sold out, and a few home sellers who had the misfortune to fall out of escrow just in time for Santa.  

But much of what we looked at were the properties which had been passed over all year.  Most were overpriced for today’s market or overpriced for their current condition (still overpriced is overpriced).  Certainly nothing that I could get excited about…Bah humbug…

If you are a home seller thinking of listing a property next year, you should let the (holiday) dust settle, but inventory is tight and it would be in your best interest to get listed sooner rather than later. Questions? I am just a phone call or email away.