Timing Your Sale
The general rule of thumb up here is the spring and summer are the best times to market a home. More daylight, long breaks from school, nicer weather and better moods all combine to bring more buyers and sellers into the market. The busiest months tend to be from March to August.
However, the “best” time for you to sell really depends on your situation. Proper timing of your property’s sale is dependent on your motivation and your goals. Regardless of the season and the performance of the market, real estate has a tangible use as a home or rental, so there will always be buyers and sellers.
Winter tends to be a relatively slower selling period, with longer listing times and lower-motivated buyers. However, winter can be a great time for sellers who are committed to selling and understand that different pricing and marketing are necessary.
…And what about the fall? Sales activity in mid-September to mid-October can be quite strong, as home buyers have returned from summer vacations and kids have already settled in to a new school year. September is often one of the months with the highest amount of new and existing home listings; sellers should frequently monitor market conditions.
An important aspect of any home sale is how to maximize its appeal to buyers. Learn more in our Staging Your Home section.