Yes, you can sell a home on Long Island during the holidays, and it can work in your favor. Fewer homes come on the market in late fall and winter. Moreover, the buyers still looking in December are usually serious. They need to move, and they are ready to act. Here’s what the numbers say and how to sell without losing your holiday season.
Why listing now can pay off
Supply was already tight this fall. In September 2026, Suffolk had 3,220 single-family homes for sale, down 2.9% from a year earlier. Nassau had 2,318, down 1.7%, according to OneKey MLS figures reported by Long Island Guide.
New listings fell even faster. Suffolk saw 1,287 new single-family listings in September, down 5.6%. Nassau saw 929, down 10.4%. Therefore, a well-priced home has less competition, and that gap usually grows as many sellers wait for spring.
Prices are holding up, too. The September median single-family sale price was $740,000 in Suffolk, up 2.8% from a year earlier, and $860,000 in Nassau, up 2.1%, per OneKey MLS. Suffolk sellers received 101.0% of their original list price on average. Nassau sellers received 99.8%.
What to expect from winter buyers
Holiday buyers are a smaller group, but a focused one. Many are relocating for a job, planning around the next school year, or tired of renting. They are not browsing for fun in December.
However, winter deals can take longer. Homes that closed in March 2026, many of which went under contract in the winter, averaged 59 days on market in Suffolk and 58 in Nassau. In September, both counties averaged 40 days, according to OneKey MLS county reports. So price it right from day one and plan for a little patience.
Mortgage rates matter to your buyer pool. The 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.24% as of October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. That’s down from 7.40% in mid-October. Every small dip helps buyers qualify, and it can bring more of them back to open houses.
Should you wait for spring?
Spring brings more buyers. It also brings more sellers. If you list in March or April, you’ll compete with every neighbor who waited. Moreover, no one can promise where rates or prices will be by then.
If you need to move, or you want to buy your next home before the spring rush, listing now can make sense. If your timing is flexible, talk with a local agent about your town and price range. The right answer depends on your house, not the calendar.
“Serious buyers don’t take the holidays off. If your home is priced right and shows well, there’s no reason to wait for spring.” — Brad Wilson, Broker, Jones Hollow Realty Group
Tips for selling during the holidays
- Price it right from the start. Winter buyers compare carefully. An overpriced home sits.
- Keep decorations simple. A wreath and warm lights feel welcoming. A packed living room hides the space.
- Light it up. It gets dark early. Turn on every light for showings and photos.
- Keep it warm. Set the heat to a comfortable level before every showing.
- Clear the path. Shovel and salt the walkway, driveway and steps after every storm.
- Use great photos. Ask whether listing photos taken earlier in the season can show the yard at its best.
- Set showing windows. Block off family dinners and holiday events, and be flexible the rest of the time.
- Plan the closing. Talk with your attorney about a timeline that works around the holidays.
Thinking about selling your Long Island home this season?
We’ll show you what homes like yours are selling for right now and help you decide whether to list now or in spring. Contact Jones Hollow Realty Group at joneshollowrealty.com or stop by our office at 136 Carleton Ave in East Islip to talk with a local agent.
