The Holiday ‘Home Fit’ Checklist: 10 Questions To Ask Before You Decide To Sell In 2026

December Home Functionality Checklist

December is one of the best times to understand how your home truly functions. Kids are home from school, work schedules shift, guests stop by (sometimes unexpectedly), and the kitchen works overtime. A home that feels perfectly comfortable during a quiet week can feel completely different when life gets busy.

For many Monroe County homeowners—especially in Waterloo, Columbia, and the surrounding Illinois communities—the holidays spark conversations about whether to stay, renovate, or plan a move in the new year. If 2026 feels like a realistic target for a transition, this season gives you valuable insight into how well your home really works.

This MMG checklist helps you turn your holiday observations into clear next steps—whether that means small updates, a renovation, or beginning to plan your next move with a local real estate expert who knows Monroe County inside and out.

How to Use This Checklist

As you walk through your home this month, sort your observations into three categories:

• Stay + Tweak: simple layout adjustments, furniture changes, added storage, or small routine shifts.

• Renovate: larger projects that change flow, add function, or gain usable space.

• Move: needs that cannot be met within your current footprint or location—something many clients throughout Waterloo and Columbia discover as their families grow or lifestyles change.

You don’t need answers today—just clarity. Simply noticing patterns is enough to guide your decisions for 2026.

1. When Everyone Is Home, Do You Have Enough True Quiet Space?

Holiday breaks mean more people at home at the same time. Pay attention to how easy it is for someone to take a call, study, work remotely, or unwind.

Ask yourself:

• Is there at least one private spot with a door that closes?

• Do family members escape to cars, bedrooms, or corners to find quiet?

If privacy is the issue, tweaks might help—or it may indicate your current layout isn’t meeting your needs, a common concern we hear from clients throughout Monroe County real estate markets.

2. Do Your Main Gathering Spaces Feel Comfortable or Overloaded?

Holiday traffic patterns reveal everything.

Notice:

• Where guests naturally cluster

• Whether seating feels comfortable or scarce

• If people can move through spaces easily—or if bottlenecks form

Sometimes a furniture refresh helps. Other times, homeowners in Columbia and Waterloo discover their current floor plan simply isn’t built for how they live.

3. Can Your Kitchen Keep Up With Real Cooking?

Big meals highlight how functional (or not) your kitchen is.

Consider:

• Do you have enough prep and serving space?

• Do extra tables appear just to get through dinner?

• Can more than one person cook without collisions?

If weeknights feel cramped too, you may be facing a renovation—or it may be time to explore new homes in Monroe County that better fit your lifestyle.

4. Is Your Entry Practical for Winter Guests?

Winter gear tests your storage.

Observe:

• Where coats and shoes end up

• Whether bags or mail crowd surfaces

• If guests struggle to find a place to put things

Sometimes all you need is hooks and a bench. If your entry opens directly into your living space with no room for storage, adding a small mudroom could be on your project list.

5. Where Do Overnight Guests Actually Sleep?

Guest space doesn’t have to be formal—but it should function.

Think about:

• Do guests have privacy and easy bathroom access?

• Does overnight company create stress for the whole house?

If hosting is a regular part of your life, this may influence whether you repurpose a room… or begin considering a layout better suited for your lifestyle.

6. Do Hobbies, Wrapping, and Kids’ Activities Have a Place?

December often brings extra “stuff.”

Ask:

• Can projects stay out for a few days without blocking walkways?

• Do kids have room to spread out?

• Does exercise equipment have a temporary home?

If every flat surface becomes a landing zone, you may be outgrowing your space—something many Illinois homeowners recognize during the holidays.

7. How Well Does Your Storage Handle Seasonal Overflow?

Holiday décor and winter gear reveal a lot.

Notice:

• Are closets bursting?

• Are bins stacked in inconvenient places?

• Has the garage become the catch-all?

Sometimes shelving solves it; sometimes the home simply wasn’t designed for real-life storage needs.

8. Are There Rooms That Never Get Used?

When your home is full, underused rooms stand out.

Ask:

• Which rooms go untouched—even during the busiest month?

• Could they be repurposed?

• Does your square footage match how you actually live?

Unused formal dining rooms are a common example we see in Monroe County homes.

9. How Do Noise and Privacy Feel When the House Is Busy?

Sound can completely change the feel of a home.

Notice:

• Does noise from living areas reach bedrooms?

• Do TV or game sounds disrupt concentration?

• Do doors actually reduce noise?

Small changes can help, but consistent noise issues often point to layout limitations.

10. Can You See This Home Working for You Through 2026 and Beyond?

After observing your home all month, step back.

Ask yourself:

• Could you comfortably stay here through 2026?

• Would targeted updates fix most issues?

• Or do you keep running into limitations your home simply cannot solve?

There is no wrong answer—only the one that fits your life.

Next Steps: Turning Your Notes Into a Plan

This checklist is not a pass/fail test—it’s a tool. By January, you may have:

• A list of small tweaks

• A renovation plan

• Or clarity that moving in 2026 is your best path

If you want a second opinion, the Mandy McGuire Group is here to help. We can review your notes and connect them with:

• Local Waterloo, Columbia, and Monroe County real estate insights

• Resale considerations

• Market timing

• Honest guidance on whether to stay, renovate, or move

At MMG, we believe you deserve to Live Where You Love—and that starts with understanding how well your home supports the life you want.

When you're ready, we’re here.