Should I sell during the holidays?

A: Selling a home during the Christmas and holiday season certainly has unique characteristics. In San Francisco, there are few drawbacks and some real benefits as many holiday visitors use this time to shop for homes.

Since inventory levels dramatically drop during the holidays, available homes will receive less competition and if priced right, you may get a quick sale.

By decorating for the holidays and reducing clutter, you can give buyers the visceral effect of what it will be like to celebrate the holidays in your home next year. Curb appeal is always important and even more so during the holidays.

A serious drawback is having to keep your home show ready while you and your family are enjoying the holidays. Listing with an agent team will also be wise as the team has more agents available to show.

Presentation is always king. It’s essential to have top-notch photography and videos and get them on the Web. Promoting your property website through multiple channels including social media is essential.

Having open houses with chocolate chip cookies baking, hot cocoa or apple cider available and holiday candy will make the visit even more inviting.

To summarize: Less inventory, serious buyers, warm holiday decor translates to a great sale before the new year inventory surge. Frank Castaldini, Coldwell Banker, (415)

846-1899, frank@frankcastaldini.com. A: Occasionally a seller wanting or needing to move late in the year will ask me if it is better to wait until after the holidays to sell their home or move ahead with marketing during holiday celebrations.

If the property needs to be sold because the seller is moving for job-related reasons (relocation) or other pressing personal matters, I share with them the following:

Yes, it is true that there are fewer agents working during the holiday season and seemingly fewer buyers out there looking for their new home.

Yes, the weather is often more inclement (colder and wetter).

And yet, what I know for sure, is that some of my strongest sales have happened during December and January.

Homes staged for the holidays can be warm and inviting, engendering emotional connection with potential buyers.

Rainy weather usually means that fewer neighbors and “lookieloos” come to Sunday open houses, but it seldom deters serious buyers from visiting.

So if a move is mandated sooner rather than later, move forward with confidence; dress up your home, light the fireplace and open your doors to the next owner. Karen Starr, the Grubb Co., (510) 339-0400, Ext. 224,

starr@grubbco.com. A: The 1960s song captures real estate during the holiday season: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

For sellers, the advantage is the number of available homes for sale is about 30 percent less than during the peak months, with the number of new listings slowing down to a trickle. Thus, the attention of serious buyers becomes highly focused.

For buyers, the probability of getting a house at below list price goes up if the property has been languishing on the market.

There is something about the end of the year that encourages sellers to rethink their pricing.

The disadvantage is a possible disruption of holiday plans, particularly if there are out-of-town visitors. Also, there is the fact that a tree in the middle of the house, however festive, makes a room look smaller.

Astrid Lacitis, Vanguard Properties, (415) 860-0765, astrid@vanguardsf.com.