Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the good things in life. Anyone in Atlanta real estate (or in real estate anywhere) can tell you that any positive news related to the housing industry offers plenty of reasons to be thankful. While many people are spending Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend with friends and families, some agents are spending time showing homes and working to sell Atlanta real estate during Thanksgiving. Hosting Thanksgiving open houses is popular in many areas in the country.

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, several California real estate agents see the long weekend as a great opportunity to sell homes. Even though less than half the usual number of open houses are expected over Thanksgiving weekend, the buyers who do show up are probably serious prospects. One agent in the article likens the situation to shopping for a car in the rain – it’s not something normally done by window shoppers.

Another factor that makes showing homes during the holidays more appealing is the family factor. Because people have time off from work, those looking for a new home may view the extended holiday as the perfect time to shop. They can bring the whole family to see the home, including extended family. This could in turn speed up the homebuying process as a decision might be quicker. Plus, if people are looking to close on a house by the end of the year for tax purposes, there is a sense of urgency in the air.

So what are your plans for Thanksgiving? If you’re a real estate agent, will you be showing homes during the holiday? Let us know in the comments!

Whether selling real estate during Thanksgiving by showing homes or just falling asleep on the couch after eating too much, we hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving!