It's 11:07 PM. I've got leftover cookie dough from my daughter's baking chaos earlier, my phone's at 12% battery, and I'm scrolling through new Wesley Chapel listings like it's my job. (Wait, it literally IS my job, but you get what I mean.)

And I just found THE most gorgeous house in Meadow Pointe that hit the market two hours ago.

This is the thing about December real estate that nobody tells you—the good stuff drops when everyone else is watching Hallmark movies and wrapping presents. And honestly? That's exactly when you want to be paying attention.

The 11 PM Text That Changed Everything

Last December, I sent a client a text at 11:43 PM. "I know it's late, but trust me—look at this listing that just went live."

She texted back immediately: "OMG. Can we see it tomorrow?"

We toured it at 9 AM. Made an offer by noon. Under asking price (because December, baby!). Closed three weeks later.

Her spring-shopping friends? Still looking. Still competing with five other offers. Still wondering why everything's so expensive.

Timing isn't everything in real estate, but it's definitely SOMETHING.

What December House Hunting Actually Feels Like

It feels like: Finding a parking spot right in front of Target on December 23rd. Lucky? Yes. Surprising? Absolutely. Impossible? Clearly not.

It looks like: Touring houses while your trunk is full of wrapped presents. Negotiating offers between cookie exchanges and school plays. Signing documents in your pajamas because your lender sent them at 8 PM and you're READY.

It sounds like: "Wait, they accepted our offer? WITHOUT a bidding war? Is this real life?"

Yes, Karen. This is real life. This is December magic.

My Favorite December Moments (Grab the Tissues)

The military family: Dad getting stationed at MacDill AFB in January. Needed a home ASAP. Found them a perfect place in Seven Oaks two weeks before Christmas. The kids decorated their new rooms on Christmas Eve with Target clearance decorations and homemade paper snowflakes. I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying.

The newlyweds: Spent their entire wedding budget on, well, their wedding (no judgment—it looked AMAZING on Instagram). Started renting while saving for a house. Found a killer deal on a townhome in The Groves because the seller needed to close before year-end for tax reasons. They got $10K off asking AND the seller paid closing costs. Honeymoon phase? Try homeowner phase.

The "we're just looking" couple: Spoiler alert—they were NOT just looking. They were ready, pre-approved, and playing it cool. Found their dream home on December 18th. Closed January 2nd. Hosted the Super Bowl at THEIR place. Spring shoppers are still "just looking."

The Brutal Honest Truth

Here's what I tell everyone who asks me about December house hunting:

The competition is basically nonexistent. While everyone's debating whether to get a real tree or fake tree, you could be debating which bedroom becomes the home office. Different priorities.

Sellers are MOTIVATED. Nobody lists their house during the holidays for fun. They need to sell. That desperation? It's your negotiating power.

You get the REAL vibe of the neighborhood. See those houses with elaborate light displays? Those are your future neighbors who go ALL OUT. The houses with zero decorations? Also good to know. December shows you who lives there, not just what the HOA requires.

Lenders and agents actually have time for you. In spring, I'm juggling 15 clients and answering emails at stoplights. In December? I've got time to actually HELP you find the right home, not just the available home.

Your December Game Plan (If You're Smart)

1. Get pre-approved THIS WEEK. Not next week. Not after New Year's. NOW. This takes like two hours total. You've spent longer binge-watching Netflix.
   
   
2. Set up listing alerts. New homes in Wesley Chapel, Land O'Lakes, New Tampa—wherever you're looking. When something hits the market, you'll know immediately. While others are sleeping off Christmas dinner, you're making moves.
   
   
3. Be flexible but decisive. Can you tour a house on Saturday at 4 PM even though you have a holiday party at 6? Yes, you can. It takes 30 minutes. You'll survive showing up fashionably late. But you might NOT survive missing your dream home.
   
   
4. Trust your gut AND the numbers. Love at first sight is real in real estate. But also, you know, make sure the foundation isn't crumbling and the AC works. Romance with a solid inspection report is the best kind.
   
   
5. Work with someone who GETS IT. Find a realtor who won't judge you for texting at weird hours, who understands that life is chaotic, and who will genuinely celebrate when you get your keys. (Hi, that's me. 👋)
   
   

The Thing I Really Want You to Know

Listen, I could give you all the statistics about how December inventory is up and competition is down and blah blah blah. But here's what really matters:

Life is short. Really short.

If you're ready to buy a home—financially, emotionally, logistically—then WHY are you waiting? Because someone said spring is better? Because you think you "should" wait?

Should is the enemy of happiness, my friend.

I've seen too many people wait for the "perfect time" only to watch prices go up, competition increase, and opportunities disappear. Meanwhile, the December buyers are hosting Super Bowl parties in their new homes, planting gardens in their backyards, and making memories in spaces they actually OWN.

Which person do you want to be?

Let's Make It Happen

If you're reading this at 11 PM with cookie dough (or wine, or both—no judgment), and you're thinking "maybe this IS my time," then let's talk.

Seriously. Text me. Call me. Send me a carrier pigeon if that's your thing.

I promise I'll respond—probably from my couch, definitely in pajamas, absolutely ready to help you figure out if December is YOUR moment.

Because here's my secret: I don't just sell houses. I help people start new chapters. And there's something absolutely magical about starting that chapter during the season of new beginnings.

Ready to stop scrolling and start shopping? Let's do this. Wesley Chapel isn't going to wait forever, and neither should you. 🏡✨🎄

P.S. - It's now 11:34 PM and I just found another listing. This job never stops, and honestly? I love it. If you want someone who's as invested in your home search as you are, let's chat. Even at 11 PM. Especially at 11 PM.