If your home hasn't sold by the time December rolls around, you may be tempted to pull it from the market. You may also be tempted to hold off on listing the property at this time of year. The holiday season can be stressful enough without having to schedule showings or keep the rooms spotless for an open house.

There is also the common belief that buyers are less likely to hunt for a home during the holidays. Plenty of people are going to be focused on shopping for gifts, putting up home decorations, and preparing for visitors or a trip to see family. It may seem like a pointless exercise to list your home if so many potential buyers are taking a break until after New Year's Eve.

Yet buyers are often keeping an eye out for appealing properties, and may be willing to make a purchase at the end of the year. The holiday atmosphere can also give your home a more welcoming feel during this time.

Motivated buyers won't be put off by any potential difficulties of buying a home and moving during the holidays. Suzanne Roy, writing for the National Association of Realtors, says buyers may need to relocate for work and will want to find a suitable home as quickly as possible.

Buyers may be eager to find a new home for other reasons as well. They may want to close on a home before the end of the year to get a break on their taxes or settle a child in a new school after its winter break.

It is also not uncommon for buyers from outside the United States to look at real estate in the country. Since these international buyers may not be hindered by the same holiday hassles, you may be surprised to get an offer from overseas during the winter.

Even if a buyer is slowing down their home search during December, they'll likely still be checking out listings. Brendon Desimone, writing for the real estate site Zillow, says buyers and their real estate agents can easily continue to monitor any new listings through smartphone apps and other notifications.

Listing a home during the holidays isn't for everyone, so you'll likely have less competition if you keep your home on the market during the season. Other sellers may not want to move out until after the holidays, erroneously believe that a holiday sale is impossible, or simply wish to take a break to focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas. With fewer properties on the market, you're more likely to get an offer from the buyers who are still searching.

Each season has its own advantages for staging a home, but holiday decorations can play a big part in improving the appeal of the residence. Wreaths, lights, a fire in the fireplace, and an offering of holiday treats to any buyers can all leave a good impression.

Make sure these decorations don't detract from the home, however. Michele Dawson, writing for Angie's List, says a Christmas tree can make a room feel cramped if it is too big for the space. Try not to go overboard on the amount of lights, lawn displays, and holiday scents. And keep any hidden gifts out of the closets, as buyers will be interested in checking out these spaces.

You can modify the showing schedule to accommodate your own needs. If you want to put up decorations, throw a party, or otherwise enjoy unimpeded use of your home, Roy says you should limit the times you will permit potential buyers to stop by. You can also prohibit visits on certain dates, such as the holidays themselves or any days when family members are visiting.

If your home has been on the market for several weeks without a sale, the end of the year can be a good time to assess what needs to be done to find a buyer. Desimone says you might need to consider dropping the asking price. Alternatively, you could determine whether some upgrades are necessary to better justify the listing price.

Taking a break from listing a home can be useful during the holidays, but you can easily convince yourself to extend this period throughout the winter. The chilly air, barren landscaping, and reluctance to drive along snowy streets to a listing can all keep buyers at bay.

Of course, many sellers also choose to list their property in spring and you'll face more competition as a result. By keeping your home available during the holidays and winter season, you'll be more likely to appeal to motivated buyers.