Buying or selling a house around Christmas: What you need to know.

Buying or selling a home is exciting at any time of year, but when your property journey falls in late December or early January, there are a few extra things you need to be aware of. The festive season comes with public holidays, bank closures, skeleton staffing, and slower response times across the entire industry.

None of this means you can’t buy or sell during this period (you absolutely can).  But to avoid delays or last-minute stress, you’ll need to plan ahead just a bit more than usual.

Whether you’re selling in Hillarys or hoping to get the keys to your Mindarie apartment before New Year’s Eve, here’s what to consider for your settlement over Christmas in WA.

How public holidays affect settlement dates

WA has several public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period. On these days, banks, conveyancers, PEXA, and Landgate are closed, so settlements can’t take place.  Even the days either side of Christmas and New Year may result in many of these organisations operating with reduced staffing.

If your scheduled settlement date falls on:

• 25 December 2025

• 26 December 2025

• 1 January 2026

…the settlement will automatically be pushed to the next business day (unless your Offer & Acceptance contains a clause that says otherwise).

Why late December to early January often causes delays

Even if your settlement isn’t booked on a public holiday, the period from around 19 December through to early January can bring delays simply because:

• Banks run on skeleton staff

• Conveyancers, property managers, and real estate agents may be on leave

• Government departments shut down or operate at reduced capacity

• Many professionals are dealing with large pre-Christmas backlogs

For example, Bankwest (like all banks) releases its own end-of-year cut-off dates for finance approval and settlement bookings. If you’re selling and you haven’t submitted your Discharge Authority by 3 December, the bank has said they can’t guarantee settlement in 2025.  This is just one example - the same applies to buying and getting a loan, and with many other lenders.  

If your offer contains a tight finance deadline or a settlement date close to Christmas, your bank may not be able to meet it. Before agreeing to a finance or settlement date around this time of year, it’s always best to double-check with:

• Your bank or broker

• Your settlement agent

• Anyone else involved in conditions (e.g. building inspectors)

Once dates are locked in on a signed contract, they can’t be changed unless all parties agree.

Government closures to keep in mind

Some government agencies close or have extended processing times during the Christmas period.  A common example is RevenueWA. If you’re a buyer who needs First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) approval (either for the $10k FHOG itself, or for your stamp duty exemption or reduction), you cannot rely on these being processed between Christmas & New Year. If these approvals are required to complete your settlement, this must be factored into the timing of your offer.

If your settlement agent knows you’re depending on government processing, they can help you choose a realistic date and avoid a stressful last-minute delay.

Why final inspections can be harder to arrange

Buyers are often entitled to carry out a final inspection in the five business days before settlement. Around Christmas, though, we find that these inspections can be more difficult to arrange because:

• The real estate agent may be away

• Tenants may be travelling

• Sellers may be preparing to leave for holidays

• Trades needed for repairs may be closed

If your settlement is scheduled around the Christmas/New Year period, you may have a very small window to conduct the final inspection and chase any required repairs. This is why preparation is key (more on that below…).

How to prepare if your settlement falls in late December or early January

Here are a few practical steps for buyers and sellers to keep everything on track:

Have your finance organised early

Banks slow down dramatically in late December.  If your finance approval date falls during this time, make sure you’ve provided all documents ASAP.

Book your building and pest inspections early

Inspectors can book out quickly in December, and then may be closed all together towards the end of the month.  Don’t wait until your condition is about to expire.

Complete your VOI and sign documents quickly

All additional time for your conveyancer to process everything and potentially, to lodge documents if necessary, with government agencies (who may be shut or short-staffed).

Confirm key dates with your bank and conveyancer BEFORE signing your offer

Never rely on a “standard” 21-day finance clause or a typical 15-business-day settlement around Christmas.  It might be completely unrealistic for your lender or other parties involved.

Avoid prior possession (moving in early)

It can be tempting to ask, “Can we just put some boxes in the garage before Christmas?”.  But this is strongly discouraged.  Prior possession creates legal risks for both parties and must only be allowed if it is carefully documented (and even then, most conveyancers prefer to avoid it altogether).  One key reason is that it is incredibly difficult to find an insurer who will cover this arrangement.

Build in a buffer

If possible, choose a settlement date in the second week of January to give all parties breathing room.

Using a festive-season clause

If you’re buying or selling during this time, it’s worth adding a clause to avoid settlement falling on a date that’s unworkable.  A commonly used clause is:

“Despite any other term in this Contract, if the Settlement Date falls between 23 December and 2 January (inclusive), settlement shall occur on the next business day following that period.”

This protects both parties and ensures no one is forced into an impossible deadline.

FAQ: Settlement over Christmas in WA

Can settlement happen on a public holiday?

No. Settlements can only occur on business days, due to closures of PEXA and Landgate.

Can I get the keys before Christmas?

Only once settlement has officially completed. For vacant properties, that’s immediate. If the seller lives there, they have until 12pm the following day to vacate.

What if my bank can’t be ready in time?

Your settlement agent can request an extension, but the other party doesn’t have to agree. This is why choosing realistic dates upfront is crucial.

Can settlement be brought forward?

Yes, but only if all parties agree and any banks involved have capacity to do so.

Should I move in early if settlement might be delayed?

No. Prior possession is risky and should be avoided.

Buying or selling over Christmas? We’re here right through the festive season!

While many agencies shut down over Christmas, North Shore Conveyancing remains open and available to help buyers and sellers across Kallaroo, Joondalup, Hillarys and surrounding suburbs.

If you’re planning a move over the holiday period, we’ll guide you through the timing, the public holidays, and everything you need to know for a smooth settlement (no stress, no surprises).

Contact Katelyn today to chat about your festive-season property plans.