Does the time of year when you put your home on the market affect how well it will sell? What about the final sales price?
In many cases, yes. The best and worst times of year to sell a house can influence buyer activity, time on market, and negotiating conditions. Late spring and early summer are often favorable, while December is often slower. But the month alone does not decide the outcome.
Local market conditions and your own timeline can matter even more than the season. If inventory is tight, buyers are active, or you need to move for work, school, or another purchase, waiting for the “perfect” month may not be the best decision.
Of course, if you need to move and sell your home at any point of the year, you will still be able to find buyers and negotiate a price that works for you. In some areas of the country, the currently swift moving housing market can help overcome poor timing.
However, if you have the ability to plan for a more advantageous time, it makes sense to make the most of your flexibility.
One of the best times of the year to sell your house is in the late spring and early summer.
For many families, this season can be appealing because it may be easier to purchase a home, move during the summer, and get settled before school begins again in the fall. Homes listed during this period may also spend less time on the market and attract more buyer interest.
One of the worst months of the year to sell a home is December. There are a number of reasons why trying to sell a home during the Christmas holidays can be difficult.
Most people aren’t thinking of moving this time of year. Their energies are focused on decorating their houses, preparing for the holidays, visiting friends and family and enjoying their time off work.
Another difficult time is the beginning of the school year, typically in September.
Children will have just started school and most families will not be considering moving at this point. If you attempt to sell your home during this time of year, you will be much less likely to get the same pool of buyers that you might see in a more “move friendly” time of year.
Of course, these are just guidelines to help you plan your next home sale.
Seasonality is helpful, but it is only one factor. In some markets, low inventory can keep buyer demand strong even during a slower part of the year. In others, a surge of listings can make a traditionally strong season feel more competitive for sellers.
Your own timing may also outweigh the calendar. A relocation deadline, a job change, a school-year transition, or the need to coordinate the sale with your next purchase can all be more important than waiting a few extra months. If you also need to buy another home, it is worth thinking about whether delaying your sale actually improves your overall position or just adds stress and uncertainty.
If you plan to buy another home after selling, think about your financing timeline before you list. A preapproval can help you understand your budget, while a clearer estimate of your sale proceeds can help you decide how much you want to put down on the next home.
In some cases, it makes sense to coordinate your listing timing with your mortgage preparation so you are not trying to solve both at the last minute. That can make it easier to compare affordability, plan your move, and decide whether selling now or waiting a little longer is the better overall choice.
Sammamish Mortgage can help. We serve clients across Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and California. Since 1992, we’ve been providing several mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria to borrowers across the Pacific Northwest. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator. Or, reach out to us if you are ready to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
Late spring and early summer are often some of the best times to sell a house because buyer activity can be stronger and homes may spend less time on the market.
Many sellers list in late spring and early summer because that timing can work well for families who want to move and get settled before the next school year.
December is often one of the slowest months to sell a home because many people are focused on holiday plans instead of moving.
December is commonly considered one of the worst months to sell because buyer attention tends to drop during the holiday season.
Fall can still work, but it is often less favorable than late spring or early summer. The beginning of the school year, especially September, can be harder because many families are less likely to move then.
October can still bring buyers, but it may not offer the same level of demand as late spring and early summer. Local inventory and buyer activity can matter more than the month itself.
Yes. Local market conditions can matter even more than the season. Tight inventory, active buyers, or a fast-moving housing market can make selling easier even during a less traditional time of year.
Not always. Spring is often favorable, but it does not guarantee the best outcome. Local competition, buyer demand, and your own moving timeline can be more important than waiting for a specific season.
That depends on your local market and personal timing. If you need to move for work, school, or another home purchase, waiting for a “perfect” month or year may not improve your overall position.
Mortgage rate movement can influence affordability for buyers, so it can affect demand. If you also plan to buy another home, it can help to coordinate your listing timing with your mortgage preparation and preapproval.
Our loan officers are ready and waiting to help you apply for your home loan.
Learn more about the people behind Sammamish Mortgage
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
Mortgage Support — 24/7
No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.
Adjust the parameters based on what you want to track
