That Time I Showed a House in My Ugly Christmas Sweater (And Why It Was Perfect)

Okay, so picture this: It's December 18th, I'm wearing a light-up reindeer sweater that plays "Jingle Bells" when you press Rudolph's nose (yes, really), and I'm standing in front of a gorgeous home in Seven Oaks getting ready to meet clients for a last-minute showing. Did I plan to wear this today? Absolutely not. Did my 8-year-old daughter insist we match for her school's holiday party that morning? You bet she did.

But here's the thing that happened that day that honestly changed how I think about real estate during the holidays...

The Magic Nobody Talks About

The family who showed up—let's call them the Johnsons—were exhausted. Like, capital E EXHAUSTED. They'd been house hunting since September, kept losing out to other buyers in bidding wars, and were seriously considering just giving up and waiting until spring. Mrs. Johnson even said, "We're probably wasting your time. We're just so tired of looking."

I pressed Rudolph's nose. My sweater played "Jingle Bells."

Everyone laughed. And just like that, the tension melted.

We walked through that house, and you know what? They actually SAW it. Not the way stressed-out spring buyers see houses—rushing through, mentally calculating offers before they even check the water pressure. No, they noticed the way afternoon light streamed through the kitchen window. How the neighborhood was decorated with lights and felt warm. The fact that the current owners had a Santa collection that clearly meant this was a home where families made memories.

They made an offer that night. Under asking price. And it was accepted the next morning.

Why December Makes You Feel Things

Here's what I've learned after 12 years selling homes in Wesley Chapel: December shows you the SOUL of a house in a way May never will.

When you tour a home during the holidays, you see it living and breathing. You see how the fireplace creates that cozy vibe (okay, we're in Florida, so it's probably decorative, but still!). You notice whether the kitchen layout actually works when someone's prepping a big meal. You catch the sound of neighbors laughing at a backyard gathering and realize—oh, this is a community where people actually know each other.

Last week, I showed a house in The Groves where the sellers had their Christmas tree up. My buyers walked in, and the wife literally teared up. "This is exactly what I want our holidays to look like here," she whispered. Was it the tree? The house? The timing? Maybe all three. But that emotional connection? That's what makes people fall in love with a home, not the granite countertops (though those help too).

The Unfiltered Truth About Holiday House Hunting

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it—shopping for a house during the holidays can be chaotic. You're juggling Christmas shopping, family dinners, office parties, and somehow trying to find time to tour houses. I get it. I'm living it too.

Just last Tuesday, I had to reschedule three showings because my son's school play ran long (he was a shepherd, and he absolutely killed it, by the way). Then I raced to meet clients at a property in Meadow Pointe, still had glitter in my hair from helping with costume prep, and you know what my clients said when they saw me? "We appreciate you making time for us during your busy season."

That's the thing about people who house hunt in December—they GET IT. Everyone's busy. Everyone's a little frazzled. But everyone's also a little more human, a little more forgiving, and honestly, a lot more fun to work with.

What My Best December Closings Taught Me

The couple who bought on Christmas Eve: They'd been outbid five times that year. FIVE TIMES. They were so discouraged. Then we found their perfect home—a little ranch in New Tampa that had been sitting on the market because everyone was too busy partying to look at houses. We negotiated hard and got them $15,000 under asking, plus the sellers threw in all the kitchen appliances. They closed on December 24th and spent Christmas morning in THEIR house. The husband sent me a photo of them sitting on folding chairs in an empty living room, drinking coffee and grinning like kids. Best Christmas card I ever received.

The family who almost waited: Mom, dad, and three kids crammed in a two-bedroom apartment while they "waited for the perfect time." I told them straight up—there is no perfect time. But there IS a time when you find the right house at the right price with the right amount of competition (or lack thereof). We found them a four-bedroom in Chapel Crossings in mid-December. The builder was desperate to close before year-end for their numbers. They got $25,000 in upgrades included. Those kids had their own rooms by New Year's Day. Tell me spring would've given them that deal.

The retiree who thought I was crazy: Sweet lady, moving down from Pennsylvania to be near her daughter in Wesley Chapel. She called me in November and said, "My daughter says I should wait until after the holidays." I said, "With all due respect to your daughter, let's just look." We found her a gorgeous villa at the Shops at Wiregrass within walking distance to everything. She'd been dreaming of Florida winters her whole life. Why wait until March when you could be enjoying your lanai in January? She closed December 15th and hosted her family for Christmas in FLORIDA. In her words: "Best decision I ever made, and I'm 68 years old."

The Real Talk About What December Buying Actually Looks Like

So you're probably wondering—okay, this all sounds great, but what does it REALLY take to buy a house during the most chaotic month of the year?

Honestly? It takes being a little flexible and a lot intentional.

Flexible looks like: "Hey, I know it's 7 PM on a Wednesday and everyone's tired, but this house just hit the market and I think it's THE ONE—can you meet me there in 30 minutes?" (Answer: Yes, and bring a flashlight because we're looking at the backyard too.)

Intentional looks like: Getting pre-approved in early December so when you find your house, you're READY. Not "thinking about getting pre-approved." Not "planning to call the lender next week." DONE. Approved. Ready to write an offer.

I had a client last year who got pre-approved on December 3rd. Found their dream home on December 10th. Made an offer December 11th. Closed January 5th. Meanwhile, their friends who "waited for spring" are still looking and dealing with five other offers on every house they like.

The Stuff That Makes Me Love December Closings

Can I get a little sappy for a second? (Too late, I'm doing it anyway.)

There's something absolutely magical about handing someone keys to their new home right before the holidays. The way their faces light up—it's not just "yay, we bought a house." It's "we're going to make memories here." It's "our kids are going to wake up here Christmas morning." It's "this is OUR HOME."

I've cried. Multiple times. Don't judge me.

Last year, I closed with a young couple two days before Christmas. They'd been saving for YEARS for their down payment. First-time buyers. The whole nine yards. When I handed them the keys, the husband literally picked up his wife and spun her around in the driveway. Their neighbors came out clapping. I'm tearing up just typing this.

That's the stuff they don't teach you in real estate school. That's the stuff that makes you realize this job isn't about square footage and comparable sales—it's about people and dreams and new beginnings.

My Completely Honest Opinion About Waiting Until Spring

Here's where I'm going to be real with you, and you can take it or leave it.

If you're thinking about buying a house, and you're waiting until spring because someone told you that's "the best time," ask yourself this: WHY is it the best time?

Is it because YOU'LL be ready? Or because everyone ELSE will be ready too?

Because here's what happens in spring: inventory goes up (yay!), but so does competition (boo!). You're fighting with twelve other families for the same house. Sellers get cocky. Prices go up. Bidding wars become the norm. You're waiving inspections, offering over asking, and basically throwing money at problems because you're desperate.

Does that sound like "the best time" to you?

I'm not saying December is perfect for everyone. If you're not ready—financially, emotionally, logistically—then don't rush it. But if you're ready and you're just waiting because someone said to? That's fear talking, not strategy.

What I Tell My Friends (And Now I'm Telling You)

If you're serious about buying a home, December is your secret weapon. Here's my friend-to-friend advice:

Start now. Like, literally right now. Get pre-approved. Talk to a lender (I have great recommendations if you need them—just ask!). Figure out your budget. Know what neighborhoods you're interested in. This homework pays off whether you buy in December or March.

Keep an open mind. That house you saw online that you dismissed because "eh, it's not perfect"? Go see it. I've had SO many clients fall in love with houses they almost skipped. Chemistry is real, and sometimes it surprises you.

Trust your gut. If you walk into a house and immediately feel at home, that means something. If you walk in and immediately feel "nope," that also means something. Your gut is smarter than you think.

Don't let FOMO make your decisions. Fear of missing out is real, especially in real estate. But buying a house because you're scared of being left behind? That's how you end up with buyer's remorse. Buy because you love it, not because you're afraid.

Work with someone who actually cares. This might sound self-serving, but I don't care—find a realtor who treats you like a person, not a commission check. Someone who'll answer your texts at 9 PM because you're anxious about the inspection. Someone who'll tell you the truth even when it's not what you want to hear. Someone who genuinely celebrates with you when you get your dream home.

So Here's My Challenge to You

If you've been thinking about buying a home, stop waiting for "someday" or "the perfect time" or "when things settle down."

Life doesn't settle down. Things don't magically become perfect. There will always be something—a pandemic, an election, a family obligation, a work crisis, SOMETHING.

The question is: Do you want to be in YOUR home for the holidays next year? Because the decisions you make (or don't make) this December determine that.

And hey, if you decide to go for it and need someone to guide you through the chaos—someone who'll show up in an ugly Christmas sweater if needed, who knows Wesley Chapel like the back of her hand, and who will genuinely fight for you to get the best deal possible—you know where to find me.

Just maybe give me a heads up so I can coordinate my sweater choice with your viewing schedule. 😉

Ready to talk about your home search? Let's grab coffee (or hot chocolate—'tis the season!) and figure out if December might just be YOUR time. No pressure, no sales pitch, just real conversation about what you're looking for and whether now makes sense. Because at the end of the day, this is YOUR journey, and I'm just here to help make it a little less stressful and a lot more fun.

P.S. - If you made it this far, you're my kind of person. Seriously, reach out. Even if you're just curious or have questions. I promise I don't bite, and I make a mean cup of coffee. Let's chat about your real estate dreams—holiday season or not. ☕🏡✨