Following the Thanksgiving holiday, real estate professionals across the United States are reporting a noticeable rise in interest from families looking to relocate, particularly to suburban and exurban areas. This trend comes as extended families gather for the holiday, using the time together to reflect on their goals for the future, which often include the desire for larger homes or better educational opportunities for their children. The holiday season, with its focus on family and togetherness, seems to spark these important conversations about where to settle down, particularly in communities known for their family-friendly amenities.
Agents are seeing increased inquiries and visits to listings in suburbs that offer larger yards, access to parks and green spaces, and proximity to highly rated schools. These areas, traditionally favored by families, are seeing more demand as buyers seek homes that can accommodate growing families or provide a better environment for raising children. Many of these prospective buyers are looking for homes that will allow them to settle in before the new year, taking advantage of the quieter post-holiday period to find their ideal property before the market becomes more competitive.
Experts suggest that the uptick in activity could signal the start of a strong winter 2025–2026 selling season, as families who have spent time together over the holidays are more likely to follow through on decisions to move. The combination of a slower real estate market during the winter months and the holiday conversations about home and family life seems to be driving this surge in suburban demand. Buyers are motivated not only by their desire to settle into their new homes quickly but also by the opportunity to start fresh in the new year.
At the same time, some sellers are strategically timing their listings for the post-holiday period, hoping to capture the attention of motivated buyers before competition intensifies after the first of the year. With many families making relocation decisions during the holidays, sellers are positioning their homes as ideal options for buyers looking to secure a home before the market heats up in the spring. For both buyers and sellers, this period between Thanksgiving and the new year represents a prime opportunity to make a move, setting the stage for a busy and competitive market as 2025 transitions into 2026.
