Want to Be in a New Home by Christmas? Here’s When to Start in Ankeny, Iowa
If you're hoping to celebrate Christmas in a new home this year, you may be wondering: Is there still enough time to buy or sell a home and move by Christmas?
The short answer is possibly—but the sooner you start, the better.
Buying or selling a home involves several steps between deciding to move and getting the keys. If you're hoping to move by Christmas in Ankeny, Iowa, understanding that timeline can help you determine what's realistic and what you need to do next.
If I Want to Move by Christmas, When Should I Start?
Ideally, you don't want to wait until December to start the process.
For a December 25 move-in goal, October and early November are great times to get serious about your plans.
That doesn't mean a later start automatically rules out a Christmas move. Every transaction is different. A buyer who is already pre-approved and finds the right home quickly may have a very different timeline than someone who needs to sell their current home before purchasing another.
The important thing is to work backward from your goal and understand which parts of the process you can control—and which ones you can't.
Buying a Home in Ankeny Before Christmas
If you're buying a home, there are a few major steps between starting your search and moving in.
1. Get Pre-Approved
If you'll be financing your purchase, this should be one of your first steps.
A mortgage lender can help you understand your price range, estimated monthly payment and which loan programs may be available to you.
Having your pre-approval ready also means you can act quickly when the right Ankeny home hits the market.
2. Start Touring Homes
This is the unpredictable part.
You might find the right home during your first weekend of showings—or it could take several weeks.
If moving by Christmas is important to you, be upfront with your real estate agent about that goal. They can help you focus your search and discuss whether a home's possession and closing timeline fits your plans.
3. Make an Offer
Once you find the right home, you'll submit an offer to the seller.
The offer isn't only about price. Closing date, possession, financing, inspections and other terms can all affect whether the home works with your Christmas timeline.
4. Complete Inspections, Financing and the Closing Process
An accepted offer doesn't mean you're ready to move in immediately.
Depending on your purchase, there may still be a home inspection, appraisal, title work, loan underwriting and other steps before closing.
This is why buyers hoping to be settled before Christmas shouldn't wait until the last minute to begin looking.
What If I Need to Sell My Ankeny Home First?
This adds another layer to your timeline, but it doesn't necessarily mean a Christmas move is off the table.
You'll first need to prepare your current home for the market. That could include:
Decluttering and cleaning
Completing minor repairs
Preparing the home for listing photos
Determining a pricing strategy
Scheduling photography
Getting the home listed and ready for showings
Then you'll need to find a buyer, negotiate an offer and make it through that transaction's closing process.
If your next purchase depends on selling your current home, your real estate agent can help you think through how the two transactions may work together.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Home in Ankeny?
There isn't one number that applies to every home.
Your home's price, condition, location, competition and current market conditions can all influence how quickly you receive an acceptable offer.
That's why pricing correctly from the beginning becomes especially important when you're working toward a specific deadline.
If moving by Christmas is the priority, listing high with the expectation that you'll reduce the price later can cost you valuable time.
A strong initial pricing and marketing strategy gives you a better chance of attracting serious buyers while you still have plenty of time on the calendar.
Can I Buy and Sell at the Same Time?
Yes. Many homeowners need to sell their current home while purchasing their next one.
The logistics can look different depending on your finances, the terms of your sale and purchase, and current market conditions.
You may sell first and then buy. You may have an offer on your next home that's contingent on selling your current home. Or the timing of the two closings may be coordinated closely together.
There isn't one strategy that's right for everyone.
If you're trying to accomplish both transactions before Christmas, it's especially important to start planning early.
What Could Delay a Move Before Christmas?
Even with a well-planned timeline, unexpected delays can happen.
An inspection could uncover an issue that needs additional evaluation. An appraisal could take longer than anticipated. Loan underwriting could require additional documentation. Title issues can arise. Negotiations may take longer than expected.
And there's another consideration this time of year: the holidays themselves.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and year-end schedules can affect availability for lenders, inspectors, appraisers, title companies, movers and other professionals involved in a transaction.
Giving yourself some extra breathing room can make the process much less stressful.
Should I Wait Until Spring Instead?
Not necessarily.
Spring gets a lot of attention in real estate, but people buy and sell homes in Ankeny throughout the year.
There can actually be advantages to making a move during the fall and winter. Depending on market conditions, buyers may face different competition than they would during the busy spring market. Sellers may also encounter buyers who are highly motivated because they're shopping during the holiday season.
Whether you should move now or wait until spring depends much more on your situation and goals than the month on the calendar.
So, Can You Move by Christmas?
If Christmas is your goal, there may still be time—but now is the time to start planning.
If you're buying, getting pre-approved and beginning your home search are good first steps.
If you're selling, you'll want to understand your home's potential value, how much preparation it needs and how quickly you could realistically get it on the market.
And if you need to buy and sell, creating a plan for both transactions before you start can make the process much easier.
Thinking About Moving in Ankeny, Iowa?
The Hokel Real Estate Team helps buyers and sellers throughout Ankeny and the surrounding Des Moines metro navigate the moving process from start to finish.
If you're wondering whether you have enough time to buy, sell or do both before Christmas, let's look at your specific situation and build a realistic timeline.
Contact the Hokel Real Estate Team to start planning your move.