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
Raena Everett
Raena has an exceptionally positive outlook on life. She believes every day presents a new and exciting adventure. She also applies this attitude towards her work. She was raised in Bangor, Maine until she moved to Venice in 2011. She graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a bachelors degree in public management. She has been an entrepreneur her entire life, owning several small businesses in Maine. She contributes her success to her problem solving skills and her commitment to excellent customer service. These skills will easily carry over to her real estate career. Her market knowledge and customer service will provide great service to her real estate clients.
She is currently a Realtor(R) for Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in the Venice office.
