The Best and Worst Time of Year to Sell a House

Spring and summer are the best seasons to sell

Typically, sellers list their homes in the spring and summer because the weather is good, especially for people in colder climates. In addition, families want to buy their next home before school starts, says Realtor Liede DeValdivielso, one half of the DeValdivielso Team with the Keyes Company in Coral Gables, Florida.

Daylight savings time might also play a part in why the warmer months stimulate buying activity. “One of the reasons buyers are more eager to view properties during spring and summer may be due to the longer days,” says Marilyn Blume, a real estate agent with Sotheby’s International Realty in New York City. “By getting more exposure for your listing through more traffic, you increase the chances to receive more offers.”

Homebuyers on a deadline — for example, those who want to acquire a house before the school year begins — should make sure they’re in top financial shape before spring. That means checking your credit score and debt-to-income ratio to ensure you’re in a strong position to get a mortgage preapproval. Otherwise, your efforts might be delayed.

“April is plenty of time to get a house before school starts, as long as your financing is in order,” DeValdivielso says. “The best thing to do is shop around for a loan before you start looking for a house. This will give you a good idea of what you can qualify for.”

Fall and winter are the worst seasons to sell

The decline in seller premiums typically begins in September, when the average premium drops to 8 percent — significantly less than the peak in May. By then, many buyers with school-aged kids have likely found a home, so the sharp drop is no surprise.

Combine the new school year with the start of the busy holiday season, and homebuying goes on the back burner during the latter part of the year. Just like in the warmer months, the weather plays a factor in the winter months, too. As the days get dark earlier and temperatures drop, people tend to stay closer to home. This means less foot traffic for sellers.

November is the worst month to sell

The worst month of the year to sell a house is November, with a 6.3 percent seller premium, according to ATTOM. And those premiums stay pretty low in ensuing months. Homebuying activity typically comes to a near-standstill in December, when people tend to travel and are busy with holiday celebrations.

Of course, if you’re a buyer, the opposite holds true: The cooler months can actually be a hot time to house-hunt. There’s less competition from other buyers, and antsy sellers might be more willing to negotiate on price or offer other concessions.

The best day of the week to list your home

Want to get even more specific? If you really want to maximize your profits and sell quickly, list your home on a Thursday. Data from Zillow suggests that Thursday is the sweet spot for new listings to appear on the market, as both house-hunters and real estate agents tend to plan their weekend showings toward the end of the week. Friday is a good bet as well, per Redfin data. Avoid listing at the beginning of the week, as that raises the likelihood that the listing will sit for a few days before most buyers are ready to look — newly added listings look fresher to buyers.

More tips for sellers

Here are a few more suggestions for homeowners hoping to maximize their selling success:

• Real estate is very localized, so speak with an experienced real estate agent in your market who understands local sales trends. Agents can give you neighborhood-specific information to help you make the most strategic decision about when to list your home.
• Keep prep time in mind. Sellers should consider making key repairs and updates to their homes to maximize their return, but this can be a lengthy process. Even simple decluttering can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly and finish these projects before putting your home on the market.
• Make sure you get expert, professional-quality listing photos taken. All homebuyers search for homes online these days — a full 100 percent, according to National Association of Realtors data — so it’s important to put your home’s best foot forward right from the beginning.