While real estate never rests, it's important to know the best times to sell a house. Real estate agents and brokers are constantly watching market trends and metrics like median sales price throughout the year to time their sales perfectly. Seasonal factors can have a significant effect, as do other local and economic conditions.
So, how do you know the best time to sell? Here are some tips for timing a home sale:
How much difference can a well-timed sale make?
Timing your home sale can make a difference of up to 10% in total sale price. This means choosing the right time can help you get a higher asking price, while slower months might force you to choose lower offers.
The best time to sell a house in your market
The best seasons for selling can vary by location, but typically the spring and summer months are the best for house selling. It's most common to put your home on the real estate market during June or July.
Worst times to sell
There are multiple factors that can determine the "worst" time to sell. Often, the weather has a significant impact. Even in regions with mild winters, buyers are less likely to actively home search in colder seasons.
Another factor is competition and activity in your local market. While this can change every year, working with a real estate agent to track and predict market trends will help you sell even if conditions aren't perfect.
Selling during winter months
Winter, especially during the holiday season, is a very slow time to sell homes. Cold weather and holiday travel keep potential buyers busy. However, if somebody is considering buying a home in the upcoming spring, they may be browsing listings online from the warmth of their own home. This is one scenario when a "coming soon" listing can give you a competitive edge.
Timing home sales carefully can mean a quicker sale and a higher price, especially if you work with a real estate professional. While the world of real estate is constantly moving and changing, you can keep these guidelines in mind for finding the best time to sell.
About the Author
Bob Hummer
Bob Hummer brings a wealth of experience with him; a practitioner in real estate in Northern Virginia since 1978, a Life Member of both the Million Dollar Sales Club and the Top Producers Club with over 2,500 Satisfied Families and President, Prince William Association of REALTORS in 1991. His experiences range from helping buyers and sellers attain their goals; to renovating historic homes on Capitol Hill; to counseling and assisting homeowners facing the loss of their home due to foreclosure. Since 1996, he has presented his free monthly Home Buyer and Home Seller seminars at the Woodbridge campus of Strayer University. In June 2023 he completed the Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist course and was awarded the designation CPRES. His goal is to assist individuals who inherited real estate and wish to sell. A former "Military Brat" and a retired Air Force Hospital Administrator, Bob has made more than 26 moves during his life and is extremely familiar with all aspects of a family relocating - whether it is across the street or across the nation.