Should You Take Your Home Off the Market for the Holidays or Keep It Listed?

What Langley sellers should consider before deciding whether to sell through November and December or relaunch in the new year.

The holidays change everything for a few weeks. Calendars fill up. Family arrives. The living room gets a tree, and the dining table gets a lot more use.

If your home is on the market, or you're planning to list soon, you may be asking: should I keep it listed through the holidays, or take a break and come back in January?

There's no single right answer. But there are some clear trade-offs, and your home type and neighbourhood can make a real difference. Here's what to weigh.

Yes, Activity Slows Down. But It Doesn't Stop.

Fewer people shop for homes in December. That's not a surprise. Between school concerts, travel and family plans, most buyers press pause.

Langley's numbers from last winter show the seasonal pattern:

Detached, townhomes and condos combined. Source: Langley.AI, based on FVREB MLS® data. Not seasonally adjusted.

Sales dipped over the winter, but nearly 500 Langley homes still sold between December and February. And new listings fell too, which means the buyers who were out had fewer homes to choose from.

The question isn't whether anyone buys in winter. They do. It's whether those buyers are a good fit for your home.

Holiday Buyers Tend to Be Serious Buyers

Nobody tours homes on a rainy December evening for fun. Buyers who are active over the holidays usually have a reason, like:

• A job relocation with a January or February start date.

• A lease ending early in the new year.

• A completed sale and a need to land somewhere.

• Families hoping to move during winter break, or settle before the next school term.

• Buyers watching prices who see quieter months as their chance to negotiate.

Fewer showings, but more of them from people ready to act. That can work in your favour, as long as your price and presentation are ready for a serious buyer.

Less Competition Can Help Your Home Stand Out

When other sellers pull their listings for the holidays, the ones that stay become easier to find.

A buyer searching in December sees a shorter list. Your home gets more attention per listing, and you're less likely to be compared against a brand new home down the street every weekend.

The flip side: if you withdraw and wait for spring, you may relaunch into the busiest stretch of the year. In Langley, March to May 2026 brought 1,683 new listings, about 500 more than the December to February period. More buyers come out in spring, but so do a lot more sellers.

Winter Curb Appeal: Making Your Home Feel Warm

Langley winters are more rain than snow, with early sunsets and grey skies. That changes what buyers notice first.

• Light it up. Turn on interior and exterior lights for every showing. Bright entryways and warm lamps make a big difference on dark afternoons.

• Keep the outside tidy. Clear leaves, clean gutters, power wash the walkway and keep the front door area dry and welcoming.

• Add a clean doormat and a spot for wet shoes. It's small, but it makes buyers feel comfortable stepping inside.

• Keep it cozy. A comfortable temperature matters more than you'd think after a buyer comes in from the rain.

• Go easy on decorations. A little seasonal decor feels inviting. A lot can make rooms feel smaller and distract from the home itself.

• Use the right photos. If your listing photos were taken in brighter months, make sure they still accurately show the home today.

Scheduling Showings Around the Holidays

Staying on the market doesn't mean giving up your holidays.

• Set blackout dates. Many sellers pause showings for a few key days, like Christmas Eve through Boxing Day, while staying listed.

• Offer clear windows. Evenings and weekend afternoons work well for working buyers.

• Plan for guests. If family is staying with you, decide in advance how showings will work.

• Have a quick reset routine. A 15-minute tidy plan makes last-minute showings less stressful.

A short pause on showings is very different from cancelling your listing. It keeps your home visible online and keeps your listing history clean.

The Trade-Offs of Taking Your Home Off the Market

Withdrawing for the holidays can feel like the simpler choice. It has real benefits, and real costs.

If you do withdraw, use the time well. Coming back in January with the same price, same photos and same condition usually brings the same result.

How It Plays Out in Three Langley Neighbourhoods

Your home type and neighbourhood matter a lot here. Here's how the decision can look different in three parts of Langley.

Willoughby townhomes: family buyers and a fast market

Willoughby townhomes were one of the busiest segments in Langley over the summer. From July to September 2026, 131 sold, with just 3.7 months of supply and a median of 15 days on market. The benchmark townhome price was $825,200.

Many of these buyers are young families. Some want to move during winter break so the kids can settle before the next school term. Others would rather wait until summer.

Things to consider: If your townhome is priced right and shows well, staying listed may connect you with a family on a timeline. A well-lit, uncluttered home with a clear plan for showings can stand out when fewer units are on the market. With new townhome projects still launching in Willoughby, a spring relaunch may also mean more new construction competing for the same buyers.

Walnut Grove detached: established homes, limited supply

Walnut Grove detached homes had the tightest supply of the major Langley neighbourhoods over the summer, at about 2.9 months. Forty-three sold from July to September, with a median of 18 days on market. The benchmark detached price was $1,323,900, down 3.7% since June.

Buyers here are often families drawn to mature streets, larger lots and established schools. Homes tend to be older, so condition and upkeep matter.

Things to consider: Low supply makes a strong case for staying listed, especially if your home is move-in ready. If your home needs work, the holidays can be a practical window to handle repairs and relaunch in January. Just watch the price trend: Walnut Grove's benchmark has eased faster than most Langley neighbourhoods since June.

Fort Langley: higher-priced homes and a smaller buyer pool

Fort Langley is a different market altogether. The detached benchmark was $2,083,200 in September, unchanged since June. Only 7 detached homes sold from July to September, down from 14 in the spring, with 19 active at the end of September. That's about 8.1 months of supply, and a median of 35 days to sell.

At this price point, there are fewer buyers at any time of year. Across Langley, detached homes priced from $2 million to $3 million had about 16.5 months of supply and took a median of 66 days to sell over the summer.

Things to consider: Higher-priced homes often need more time on market regardless of season, so pulling the listing can mean losing weeks of exposure you'll need anyway. On the other hand, homes that rely on gardens, outdoor living space or the village's summer atmosphere may show better in spring. Small sample sizes mean Fort Langley numbers can swing month to month, so a careful look at recent comparable sales matters more than ever here.

Quick Gut Check: Stay Listed or Take a Break?

Staying listed may make sense if:

• Your home is priced right and shows well now.

• You're in a lower-supply segment, like Walnut Grove detached or Willoughby townhomes.

• You'd rather face fewer competing listings than more buyers.

• You have a timeline for moving or buying your next home.

• You can manage showings with a few blackout dates.

Taking a break may make sense if:

• Your home needs repairs or updates you can finish over the holidays.

• Outdoor space is a big part of your home's appeal.

• You'll be hosting family and can't realistically manage showings.

• You plan to come back with a clearly refreshed price or presentation.

Selling Over the Holidays?

Whether you're listed now or planning for the new year, let's build a plan that fits your home and your holidays. I'll give you an honest, no-pressure review that includes:

• A look at the competition in your neighbourhood right now

• Recent comparable sales for homes like yours

• A showing plan that works around your holiday schedule

• A clear recommendation: stay listed, pause showings or relaunch in January

No obligation. Just honest advice and a plan.

Jamie Leib, REALTOR®
Murphy Real Estate Group | Stonehaus Realty
Phone: 604-655-5683 | Email: jamie@murphyreg.ca

Market figures: Langley.AI, The Langley Market Report, October 2026 edition, based on Fraser Valley Real Estate Board MLS® data. Seasonal figures are not seasonally adjusted, and neighbourhood figures rest on small numbers of sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to sell a house during the holidays?

It can be. Fewer buyers are active, but those who are tend to be motivated, and there are usually fewer competing listings. It works best when your home is priced right, shows well and you can manage showings around your schedule.

Should I take my house off the market in winter?

It depends on your home and your goals. Taking a break can make sense if you need time for repairs or can't manage showings. Staying listed can make sense if your home is ready and you're in a lower-supply segment. A short pause on showings is often a good middle ground.

Do homes sell in December in BC?

Yes. Activity slows, but homes still sell. In Langley, nearly 500 homes sold between December 2025 and February 2026.

Can I pause showings without taking my home off the market?

Yes. Many sellers stay listed but set blackout dates around key holidays. This keeps the home visible online while giving you time with family.

How do I make my home appealing to buyers in winter?

Focus on light, warmth and tidiness. Turn on lights for showings, keep the entry clean and dry, clear leaves and gutters, keep the home comfortably warm and keep holiday decorations simple.