Traditionally, the "spring" home buying season, theoretically the busiest time in the marketplace, begins the day after the Super Bowl. Why this is so has never been clear, but it probably has something to do with finally being able to pry spouses off the couch to tour houses. This year, "spring" arrives later than usual: The big game is Feb. 7.

When I first list a home, I often like to hold back to back open houses during the first week. 

• The listing is new and exciting and there will be lots of showings, it is a courtesy to the homeowner to try to consolidate the showings into specific blocks of time

• If the home is held open during the first week of marketing AFTER the broker’s open house, it ensures that Realtors who are unavailable or “too busy” to show the home themselves will send their clients to my listing

• In my market area, homes which sell quickly typically sell near or over asking price

I have a "Coming Soon” La Canada listing.  The owner has a list of recommendations from my home stager and is selecting which ones he will make prior to the home going to market.  In the meantime we are coordinating the timing of the listing. Monday, February 15th is President’s Day, a legal holiday and some (buyers and or real estate agents) may be going out of town.  I prefer not to have distractions during the first marketing week.  It seems that the ideal date to come on the market will be February 22nd.