The end of December sits in a quiet but important window for Chicago real estate.

The holidays are winding down. January is days away. And the people who are still paying attention right now — who haven't mentally checked out until the new year — are the ones who tend to move first.

Here's what I'd recommend doing before January arrives.

For Buyers: Use the Quiet to Prepare

December is not a great time to tour homes. Sellers are distracted, inventory is thin, and the market is in a holding pattern. But it's an excellent time to prepare.

Get pre-approved. If you haven't done this yet, do it now. Pre-approval takes a few days and gives you a clear picture of your budget before you start looking. Buyers who start January already pre-approved have a real advantage over buyers who are still getting their paperwork together.

Define your criteria. What neighborhoods are you targeting? What's your must-have list? What are you willing to compromise on? Having clear answers to these questions before you start touring homes makes the process faster and less stressful.

Research the market. Look at what's sold in your target neighborhoods over the past six months. Understand what homes are actually selling for, not just what they're listed at. That knowledge will serve you well when it's time to make an offer.

For Sellers: Get Your Home Ready

If you're planning to sell in early 2026, the work you do in December determines how well your listing performs in January and February.

Address deferred maintenance. Walk through your home with fresh eyes. What would a buyer notice? A leaky faucet, a cracked tile, a door that doesn't close properly — these small things add up in a buyer's mind. Fix them now.

Declutter and depersonalize. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in your home. That's harder when every surface is covered with family photos and personal items. Start the process of clearing out before you list.

Talk to your agent about pricing. The biggest mistake sellers make is pricing too high at launch. Have a frank conversation about what the market will support. A correctly priced home generates more activity and often a better outcome than one that starts high and chases the market down.

The January Opportunity

The buyers and sellers who do the preparation work in December are the ones who are positioned to act in January — when the market wakes up but before the spring crowd arrives.

January is not a slow month for prepared people. It's a window. And the people who are ready to step through it tend to get better outcomes than the ones who are still getting ready when spring arrives.

If you're thinking about making a move in 2026, I'd encourage you to start the conversation now. I'm happy to give you a read on the market and help you figure out the right timing for your situation.