Do You Really Need to Wait Until After the Holidays to List?
(How Holiday Hosting Shapes Home Buying in 2025 — And Why It Matters More Than You Think)**

Most people think of Thanksgiving as a time for turkey, family gatherings, fall décor, and travel — not real estate.
But a brand-new FloridaRealtors.org report (Oct. 2025) uncovered a surprising shift in buyer behavior:

More than half (52%) of U.S. adults say hosting Thanksgiving influenced their most recent home search.

In other words, millions of Americans are looking at homes through one question:
“Can I host everyone here?”

Let’s break down the myths, the findings, and why the holiday season is becoming a powerful time to list — especially in warmer-weather states like Florida.

🦃 Myth #1: “Nobody buys a home during Thanksgiving.”

✅ Busted — Thanksgiving hosting directly shapes home-buying decisions.

According to FloridaRealtors.org:

• 52% of U.S. adults say Thanksgiving played at least some role in their home search

• 60% of Gen Z homebuyers considered Thanksgiving entertaining

• 60% of Millennials did too

• 47% of Gen X cared about hosting space

• Only 30% of Boomers considered it important

Younger buyers — who now make up a large share of the market — are thinking about kitchens, dining rooms, living room flow, and guest space before they even step foot into a showing.

This buying psychology explains why holiday-season real estate activity stays stronger than people assume.

🍽️ Myth #2: “People care more about bedroom count than hosting space.”

❌ Busted — Hosting-friendly layouts are in higher demand.

FloridaRealtors.org shared the top features Americans say would make them more willing to host Thanksgiving:

Top Thanksgiving Hosting Features (FloridaRealtors.org, 2025)

• Big kitchen – 92%

• Large family room – 92%

• Large dining room – 86%

• Guest bathroom – 87%

• Outdoor space – 76%

• Guest bedroom – 73%

• Double oven – 61%

Buyers are imagining:

• where guests will sit

• where the food will be served

• how many people they can comfortably host

• how a home’s layout handles a crowd

This is why open layouts, big kitchens, and spacious living areas consistently sell faster — especially during the holiday season.

🛁 Myth #3: “Bedrooms matter more than bathrooms.”

⚖️ Busted — It’s a tie, and both matter for hosting.

FloridaRealtors.org reports:

• 44% prefer an extra bedroom

• 45% prefer an extra bathroom

Gen Z leans toward wanting more bathrooms (48%), likely because of privacy, comfort, and guests staying overnight.

Bathrooms suddenly matter a LOT when several people are visiting for Thanksgiving weekend.

✈️ Myth #4: “Holiday travel makes home shopping rare.”

❌ Busted — Travel increases buyer activity, especially in warm climates.

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel holidays in the United States.
And travel frequently sparks home buying — especially when people escape cold northern weather.

When people head south or visit warmer regions during Thanksgiving, they immediately notice:

• mild 70°–80° temperatures

• outdoor dining and sunshine

• green landscapes

• waterfront sunsets

• the relief of “no snow, no ice, no frozen car windshields”

This emotional contrast makes people much more receptive to relocating — or buying a seasonal home.

Warm-weather states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, and the Carolinas typically see more buyer activity during the holidays for this reason.

Holiday travel + beautiful weather = active buyer mindset.

🛋️ Myth #5: “Black Friday has nothing to do with buying a home.”

❌ Busted — Buyers love timing a move around holiday deals.

Many buyers choose to close between late November and early December because they can take advantage of:

• Black Friday furniture deals

• Cyber Monday appliance sales

• Holiday décor discounts

This allows them to:

• furnish their home affordably

• set up guest spaces before Christmas

• schedule deliveries before the busy season

• start the new year fully settled

This is a real — and growing — motivator behind holiday-season home purchases.

🌤️ Why Warm Weather Supercharges Holiday Home Shopping

Even though this blog applies nationally, warmer climates have a big advantage.

Here's why:

• Buyers from cold states fall in love with the mild temperatures as soon as they land

• Homes photograph beautifully in natural light

• Outdoor entertaining spaces can be used year-round

• Thanksgiving dinners outside feel magical

• No icy driveways or snowstorms to disrupt showings

• Visiting relatives often say, “I want to live here”

A home with a lanai, outdoor kitchen, pool, or open floorplan becomes even more desirable when someone is walking around in 78° November weather in shorts.

Warm weather turns holiday hosting into a selling point.

🏡 Why Listing During Thanksgiving Can Be a Smart Move

✔ Less competition

Most sellers wait until January.

✔ More motivated buyers

Year-end buyers are serious and ready.

✔ Emotional appeal

Holiday décor makes homes feel warm and inviting.

✔ Travel-driven demand

Family visits + vacationers = more showings.

✔ Weather boosts interest

Especially from snowbirds and out-of-state relocators.

✔ Black Friday motivation

Buyers love furnishing their new home with holiday deals.

When hosting psychology and warm climate benefits combine, Thanksgiving season becomes a surprisingly strong time to list.

📊 FloridaRealtors.org Survey Summary

• Source: FloridaRealtors.org — Holiday Hosting Shapes Home Choices

• Sample: 1,000 U.S. adults

• Ages: 18 to 65

• Survey dates: October 17–19, 2025

• Focus: How Thanksgiving hosting influences home-buying preferences

🌟 Bottom Line

The old advice — “wait until after the holidays to list your home” — doesn’t hold up anymore.

Buyers care more than ever about hosting space, comfort, layout, and the ability to entertain.
And the holiday season brings:

• serious buyers

• travel-driven demand

• emotional decision-making

• warm-weather relocation interest

• year-end urgency

In many regions — especially warmer ones — Thanksgiving season can be one of the BEST times of the year to list a home.
🍂🏡✨

Source: FloridaRealtor.org