By: Lauryn Dempsey, Top Arvada and Denver Metro Area Realtor, Advisor & Navy Veteran | Serving Arvada and the Denver Metro Area, Colorado

The Intelligence Brief: Debunking the December Downtime

The persistent myth that the Denver real estate market enters a "dead zone" during Christmas is a strategic oversight. While many homeowners pull their listings, the data shows that the mission continues for thousands of buyers and sellers.

In November 2025 alone, the Denver Metro area saw 2,734 closed sales. While new listings dropped significantly by 41.39%, this actually creates a supply-side advantage for sellers. With 15.92% fewer active listings on the market at the start of the month, your home isn't just another address—it's a rare opportunity for the thousands of active buyers who are searching for a home just like yours during the holiday season.

If you’ve asked, "Do houses sell over Christmas?" the answer is a resounding yes. But to sell fast, you need more than just a sign in the yard; you need a targeted strike team approach.

5 Tactical Ways to Sell Your House Fast During Christmas

Speed is a byproduct of friction-less transactions. To move your Arvada home from "Active" to "Closed" before the New Year, follow these five mission-critical steps:

1. Price for Immediate Target Acquisition

In a market where the median days in MLS is 36 days, you don't have time to "test" the market.

• The Strategy: Look at the Median Close Price of $585,000 and the Close-Price-to-List-Price Ratio of 98.25%.
• The Action: Position your home at or slightly below the most recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. In December, buyers are looking for a "win." A price that communicates value triggers immediate showings and can lead to a contract within the first few days.
  
  

2. Prioritize Digital Reconnaissance (High-End Media)

Since December days are short and buyers are busy, their first "showing" happens on a smartphone.

• The Strategy: With Active Listings at 10,506, you must stand out visually.
• The Action: Professional, bright photography is mandatory. Use 3D virtual tours (like Matterport) to allow buyers to "walk" the home from their holiday parties. If a buyer loves the floor plan online, they will make time for a physical showing.
  
  

3. Incentivize the Mission Partners (Buyer Agents)

Sometimes the fastest way to a buyer is through their representation.

• The Strategy: Use the holiday season to offer a "Limited Time" incentive.
• The Action: Consider offering a credit toward the buyer's closing costs for contracts signed before December 25th. This keeps your home at the top of every local agent's "must-see" list.
  
  

4. Create an "Open Door" Policy

Speed requires accessibility. If a relocating buyer is in Arvada for only 48 hours, you cannot have a "24-hour notice" requirement.

• The Strategy: While it’s inconvenient during the holidays, total access wins the sale.
• The Action: Use the "Pause and Launch" logic. If you aren't hosting, keep the home in "show-ready" condition at all times. If you are hosting, use showing "Blackout Dates" only for the core holiday, but remain wide open the week before and after.
  
  

5. Solve the Affordability Gap Upfront

Buyers in November 2025 are navigating rising insurance rates and HOA fees.

• The Strategy: Remove the buyer's fear of the unknown.
• The Action: Have a pre-inspection completed and a homeowners insurance quote ready to share. Showing that the home is "low-risk" and "move-in ready" allows a buyer to make a fast, confident offer without the typical 10-day inspection hurdle.

The Strategic Advantage: Why Winter Buyers Move Faster

Why does this work? Because the quality of the buyer in December is superior to the "lookie-loos" of July.

• Relocation Orders: Corporate confidence in Denver is high, with firms like Ibotta and EGYM bringing hundreds of employees to the area. These employees often have strict timelines to be in housing by January.
• Mortgage Rate Windows: With rates currently dipping to around 6.23%, buyers are highly motivated to lock in their monthly payment before the potential "Spring Surge" pushes prices or rates back up.
• Normalcy as a Strength: A home sitting for 29 days isn't a crisis; it's a sign of a healthy, functional market. This stabilization allows for clear negotiations and faster closings.
  
  

Conclusion: Mission Success Before the Ball Drops

Unlocking the myth of the Christmas market reveals a landscape of high-intent buyers and low-competition inventory. By pricing with military precision and leveraging high-end digital marketing, you can secure a contract while your neighbors are still waiting for the "Spring Rush."

As your Arvada real estate advisor and a Navy veteran, I am committed to the discipline and strategy required to get your home sold fast, even when the snow is falling.

If you are looking for daily insight and tips on today’s market, follow Lauryn Dempsey on LinkedIn. If Lauryn can help you strategize your next steps in real estate in the Denver Metro Area or elsewhere across the U.S., please book a call!