🎄 The Lending Letter 🎅

Merry Christmas! Markets Are Closed, But Opportunity Doesn't Take Holidays 🎁

Merry Christmas! 🎄 We know, we know—you're probably knee-deep in wrapping paper, eating your third helping of breakfast casserole, or pretending to be interested in whatever your uncle is ranting about. But here's the thing: while most people are completely checked out this week, the savviest investors and homebuyers are quietly plotting their 2026 domination. 🧠

Yes, the markets are closed today. Yes, rates haven't moved. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about the opportunities hiding in plain sight during this holiday week. Think of this as your strategic advantage while everyone else is in a food coma. 😴

🎁 The Christmas Gift Nobody Asked For: Rate Stability

With bond markets taking the day off, rates are frozen at 6.21%—exactly where they closed yesterday. But here's what's more interesting than today's static rates: what happens AFTER the holidays. 📅

Historically, the period between Christmas and New Year's is when serious sellers get real about their prices. Why? Because if your house has been sitting on the market through the holiday season, you're probably ready to make a deal. According to Realtor.com's seasonal data, homes listed during this week often see price reductions as sellers prioritize closing before year-end. 🏠

Translation: While you're digesting turkey, someone else might be listing their property at a motivated price. The question is: will you be ready to pounce when everyone else is still recovering from their holiday hangover? 🎯

🎓 Educational Corner: The "Holiday Seller" Psychology

Let's talk about something most buyers don't understand: the mental state of someone selling their home during Christmas week. Spoiler alert: they're motivated AF. 🧠

Think about it: Who keeps their house on the market through the holidays? Not the patient seller. Not the "we'll wait for spring" seller. These are sellers who:

• Have already moved and are paying two mortgages
• Need to close for tax purposes before December 31
• Got transferred for work and can't wait
• Are tired of the hassle and ready to negotiate

According to Zillow's analysis of holiday transactions, homes sold between Christmas and New Year's often close 5-8% below comparable spring sales. Why? Less competition, motivated sellers, and the calendar pressure of year-end. ⏰

🏠 For STR Investors: Why Christmas Week is Strategy Time

If you're in the short-term rental game (or thinking about jumping in), Christmas week is when you should be planning your 2026 acquisitions. Here's why: 🎯

Spring Booking Season Starts in January
People start booking their summer vacations right after New Year's. If you buy a property in January-February and get it furnished by March, you can catch the entire peak season. Wait until spring to start looking? You've missed the boat. 🚤

Ski Properties are in Season NOW
While everyone thinks beach properties, winter destinations are crushing it right now. Ski towns, mountain cabins, cozy retreats—these properties can generate serious cash flow during the season everyone else ignores. Talk to our STR specialists about winter market opportunities. ⛷️

2025 Tax Benefits Still Available
Close on an investment property before December 31, and you can start deducting expenses (mortgage interest, property taxes, depreciation) on your 2025 taxes. Even if you only owned it for 6 days. The IRS doesn't care how long you owned it—if you owned it, you can deduct it. 💰

💡 Personal Finance Hack: The "Tax Loss Harvesting" December Play

Since we're in the last week of the year, let's talk about a strategy your financial advisor might have mentioned but you probably forgot about: tax loss harvesting. And no, this has nothing to do with farming. 🚜

What It Is:
Tax loss harvesting means selling investments that have lost value to offset gains from other investments. The IRS lets you deduct up to $3,000 in net capital losses per year against your ordinary income. Anything beyond that carries forward to future years. 💰

The December Deadline:
You have until December 31 to execute these trades for them to count toward your 2025 taxes. After that? You're waiting until next year. ⏰

📊 Market Intel: What to Expect When Markets Reopen

The bond market reopens Friday, and here's what analysts are watching: 👀

Light Trading Volume = Volatility
With many traders still on vacation, we could see bigger-than-normal moves on smaller-than-normal volume. Think of it like driving in your neighborhood on Christmas morning—fewer cars on the road means individual cars have more impact. According to Mortgage News Daily's analysis, holiday week trading can be erratic. 📈📉

No Major Economic Data This Week
The usual parade of economic reports takes a break for the holidays. No jobs data, no inflation reports, no Fed speeches. This means rates will mostly drift based on technical factors rather than fundamental news. Translation: don't expect massive moves either direction. 😴

The Real Action Starts in January
Here's what matters: The Fed's next meeting is January 28-29. That's when we'll get updated economic projections and rate guidance. Between now and then? It's mostly noise. The smart money is positioning for January, not stressing about Christmas week fluctuations. 🎯

🎅 Should You Wait Until 2026 to Buy?

Everyone's favorite question gets even more complicated during the holidays. Let's address it directly: 🤔

The Case for Waiting:
• More inventory typically comes to market in spring
• You'll have time to get your finances in perfect order
• Maybe rates will drop (narrator: maybe they won't) 🎲

The Case for Acting Now:
• Less competition means better negotiating power
• Motivated sellers = better prices
• 2025 tax deductions if you close by December 31
• You can always refinance if rates drop in 2026 📄

According to NAR's historical data, waiting for "perfect conditions" often means paying more for the same property later. Markets don't wait for you to be ready. They move whether you're paying attention or not. ⏰

The Real Question: Have you found a property that meets your needs at a price that works for your budget? If yes, the timing is right. If no, keep looking. But don't let "maybe rates will be better later" paralyze you from making a solid investment today. 🎯

🎁 The Bottom Line

Merry Christmas! 🎄 While today is all about family, food, and football, remember that opportunity doesn't take holidays. The savviest investors are using this quiet week to plan their 2026 domination while everyone else is in a turkey coma. 🦃

Rates at 6.21% aren't thrilling, but they're workable. And when you factor in holiday seller motivation, year-end tax advantages, and less competition, this week might actually be more strategic than peak spring buying season. 🎯

According to Kiplinger's year-end strategies, the tax benefits of closing on investment property before December 31 can be worth thousands. Depreciation, mortgage interest, property taxes—all deductible for 2025 even if you only own the property for a few days this year. That's powerful. 💰

So yes, enjoy your Christmas. But also remember: while everyone else is checked out, you have a window of opportunity. Motivated sellers, year-end tax plays, and less competition don't wait for January. Neither should you. 🚀

Stay strategic, stay informed, and most importantly—stay ahead of the crowd. That's how wealth gets built. One smart decision at a time, even during the holidays. 🏆