Should I take my house off the market for the holidays?

I can not see any benefit of taking the property "off" the market during the holidays. Think of this -- here may be an opportunity to allow a property showing while people are on their holiday break. For example -- there may be extended family in town that would consider moving and want to tour your property if it was available. If you are concerned about showings being scheduled during your own holiday festivities -- then block out that time and do not allow property tours. The average days on market is tallied differently with each multiple listing service area. Taking it off the market or pausing the listing -- may not do anything but miss that opportunity window when people have more flexibility to view homes during the holidays. Talk to your agent about your concerns. The real estate market is no longer in hypermode as it was for 2020-2022+. It is becoming more normalized which means houses take longer to sell.

Ultimately, need to get tips from your agent due to knowing the market in your area.
also, it depends on your priorities.
Taking your house off the market for the holidays is an option.
Pros: Less stress, and time for updates.
Cons: Loss of momentum, potential perception issues.
Leaving it on has pros too:
Maintains visibility and can capture holiday buyers.
Cons: Distracting showings, slower activity.

Not necessarily. Holiday buyers are often serious and motivated, and with fewer homes listed, your property can stand out more. If you stage it warmly and price it competitively, you could attract quality buyers even during the slower season.

Deciding whether to keep your home on the market during the holidays depends on your comfort level and strategy. While the holiday season usually brings fewer buyers, the ones actively searching tend to be highly motivated. In competitive markets like Irvine, homes that stay listed during the holidays often benefit from reduced competition, making serious buyers more likely to focus on your listing.

If you dislike the idea of showings during the holidays or your home isn’t showing at its best, taking it off the market is perfectly reasonable. A strategic pause allows you to relaunch in January, when buyer activity typically increases. A fresh MLS relist can give your property renewed visibility, and depending on local rules, may even reset days on market—helping the home feel “new” again.

What you want to avoid is letting your home sit with minimal activity. Extended days-on-market can make buyers think something is wrong or the home is overpriced. If you know the next few weeks will be slow and you don’t want showings, temporarily withdrawing the listing is often better than leaving it to stagnate.

As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group help sellers decide whether staying active through the holidays or relaunching in January will yield the strongest results. The right timing depends on your goals, the home’s condition, and the current Irvine buyer traffic—and with the right guidance, either strategy can work in your favor.