The holiday season might be the quietest time of year in Montreal, but for a savvy buyer, it can be the most opportune time to find a great deal. Just ask Marc and Stephanie who bought their home in December 2024. For months, this lovely family was watching the market for the perfect home to start their family. They were ready to buy, but they weren’t desperate and that patience, combined with the strategic timing of the holiday slowdown, made all the difference.
The Problem: Summer Madness
Like many families, Marc and Stephanie started their search in the spring and summer. They quickly realized they were up against stiff competition:
- Bidding Wars: Every great listing was met with multiple offers, pushing prices over asking.
- Time Pressure: They felt rushed to view homes and make decisions, which caused stress.
- High Prices: Peak season activity meant they were competing against peak market prices.
They realized they were playing the game on the sellers’ terms. We decided to pivot and wait for the perfect moment.
The Strategy: Embracing the December Slowdown
As October turned to November, and the holiday buzz started, the market began its predictable Montreal slowdown. Here’s what happened, and why it became their advantage:
- Fewer Buyers Mean Less Competition: Most potential buyers put their search on pause to focus on holiday travel, school breaks, and gift shopping. This meant that the few properties remaining on the market were seeing significantly fewer visitors and offers.
- Motivated Sellers: Any seller who keeps their home on the market in December is usually highly motivated to close the deal before the end of the year. They don’t want to carry the costs and hassle of showing a home through the deepest part of winter and into the new year.
We identified a stunning single-family home in the West Island that had been listed for a few weeks but had failed to sell in the busy season. It was perfect for Marc and Stephanie’s family, but the price was a little ambitious.
The Win: Patience Pays Off
Because Marc and Stephanie were not in a rush, we were able to approach the transaction with confidence and a clear strategy:
- We submitted a firm offer that was competitive, but strategically below the asking price.
- The seller, eager to finalize the transaction and take their house off the market before Christmas, was open to negotiation. With fewer other buyers distracting them, they focused on our serious offer.
The result? Marc and Stephanie secured their dream home for a price they were comfortable with, avoiding a stressful bidding war entirely. They signed the final documents just days before Christmas, giving them the perfect gift: a new home to welcome the new year!
The Takeaway for You
Marc and Stephanie’s story proves that the “slow” seasons in Montreal(late fall and mid-winter) can be the best time for a disciplined buyer to strike.
If you are a serious buyer, and you have your financing pre-approved, you can leverage the holiday market slowdown to your advantage:
- Find Motivated Sellers who are ready to make a deal.
- Face Less Competition from other buyers.
- Gain Leverage to negotiate better terms and a lower price.
Ready to find your perfect Montreal home without the spring-market stress?