The End of “After the Holidays”
We’re five days into the new year, and today marks the end of “I’ll take care of it after the holidays.”
As I’ve scrolled through social media over the last few days, a recurring joke keeps popping up—people are being reminded of all the tasks and conversations they promised to deal with after the holidays. And just like that, here we are. This is exactly the kind of shift I expect to see in the real estate market over the next few weeks.
December played out like a typical slow month across Central Oregon, with activity moving in line with seasonal norms. However, the data hides a significant opportunity I’m calling “The Invisible Market.” With cancellations and withdrawals reaching 10-year highs last month, we have a massive pool of potential "hidden" inventory. These aren't necessarily gone; the owners are simply waiting for the right moment to resurface.
As we turn our focus to January, here are a few things I’m watching closely:
Will we see a repeat of last year’s pattern—strong seller activity but weak buyer response—which ended up setting the tone for the rest of the year?
With the "Invisible Market" at a decade-high, will we see those listings return in January, hold out for spring, or stay off the market entirely?
Will we see less price point bifurcation in smaller markets like Prineville and Sisters?
And of course, what kind of movement will we see in mortgage rates?
My personal view? I think 2026 will be more active than 2025. While data takes time to catch up, the energy in the market has already shifted; the volume of proactive conversations I’m having with both people I know and don’t know could suggest a much higher level of intent than we saw this time last year.
If you are one of those people currently weighing a move, but you have more questions about the market and how to navigate it to accomplish your goals, reach out. I’m happy to grab coffee or hop on a quick call to answer any questions you’ve been saving for "after the holidays".
