At this time of year, I have the, "Should we stay on the market through the holidays?" conversation multiple times, typically followed by the question, "Is it OK to put up a tree?"

While the answer varies for different sellers depending upon their needs, the basis for my response is always the same—if your house isn't on the market, it definitely will not sell!

You might feel like the last thing on anyone's mind is to buy a house during the holidays. But, in fact, this can be a great time to sell a home, especially this year as consumers look to take advantage of current low interest rates. In general, buyers tend to be more serious and have extra time together to look at houses at this time of year.

By leaving your house on the market through the holidays, you are likely to attract a more motivated buyer. Look at it this way: If people are out house hunting on a Saturday in December when they could be holiday shopping or sipping eggnog by the fire, it's most likely because they are serious about buying a house. During this time, you can rest assured that you aren't going to be showcasing your home for the tire-kickers and leisurely lookers that tend to come out in the spring.

Add that to the fact that if everyone else takes their home off the market, inventory will be reduced and you have a greater chance of finding the buyer who will purchase your home.

People really do buy homes during the holidays. I have two listings in attorney review at the moment. Both buyers are corporate relocation clients.  I also have two buyer clients with contracts in attorney review, one a corporate relocation client, the other a family who has been watching the market for months hoping to get a great deal on a single family home in Basking Ridge.

These buyers are purchasing homes from four sellers who, if they had chosen to take their homes off the market for the holiday season, would be facing different challenges in the crowded spring market. 

If you do choose to keep your house on the market, you might be wondering how much decorating is OK. Weichert Insights, our publication for agents, offers the following advice, "Sellers with their home on the market during the holiday season shouldn't feel the need to give up their holiday traditions. In fact, sellers should not forgo decorating their home for the holiday. People expect at least some decorations, plus they add warmth to a home."

Just don't go overboard and don't get too personal.  The following tips will help sellers strike a good balance:

• Too many decorations mask a home's selling points: architectural details, condition, location and price.
• Avoid too many personalized decorations. The goal is for buyers to visualize themselves celebrating the holidays in the home.
• Choose an elegant, neutral palette of fresh greens, silvers, golds and classic whites. Avoid too much red and green.
• Take down decorations within two weeks after the holidays.

Interest rates are still low—we are hearing rumors that they may be climbing, and in fact over the last week or so they have ticked up slightly. As rates go up, buyers often "get off the fence" in order to catch the rates before they climb too high, another reason to keep the house on the market. Take advantage of some of the year's most motivated buyers!

According to the Dec. 13 rate sheet sent to me by Clint Johnson with Colonial Mortgage in Bernardsville, a 30-year fixed rate loan is currently at 4.875 percent. 

Here's what has sold in Basking Ridge since Nov. 1: