On average, Americans who sell their homes in May, June, or July sell them for more than their home’s value.
Does that mean that May, June, or July is the best time of year to sell a house no matter what?
No, not necessarily. Actually, plenty of houses even sell in the winter, with almost a million U.S. homes selling between December 2018 and February 2019.
So then when should you sell your house? It depends. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of selling your house in each season.
The Best Time of Year to Sell a House
The wide variety of climate types across the US means that there is no one right answer for when to sell a house. The best time to sell your house is going to have to do with where you live, your local market, the type of property you’re selling, and your own particular needs.
Spring
This is the most likely answer you’ll receive if you ask someone, “when should I sell my house?” It’s true that nationwide the best time to sell your home is between May 1 and May 15. On average, selling your house within this window will reduce the time your house sits on the market by two weeks and sell for $2400 more than average home listings.
Why do so many people consider spring to be the best time to sell a house?
Well, for one, most people are shopping for new homes during this time. With tax refunds filling up people’s pockets, better weather conditions for moving, and summer break for children around the corner, a lot of people are looking to buy in the spring so they can make their move in the summer.
In many regions of the country, spring is a time of foliage returning, grass greening, and flowers blossoming. The curb appeal of your home will be boosted by the natural beauty of spring. However, if you live in a place where the spring is muddy, rainy, or snowy, this might not be the best time for you. If you live in Tornado Alley, this is also not the ideal time of year to sell your house.
Summer
A lot of the same reasons spring is a popular season for buying and selling homes apply to summer as well. The natural beauty and nicer weather can help improve your curb appeal. People are also more willing to head over to open houses when the weather is pleasant.
In the summer, there are the added benefits of more daylight hours, warmer and more predictable weather, and school vacation that could make it a better time for buyers to shop.
If you sell your home in the summer, you’ll have more data available from the spring home sales. This gives you a better sense of how much you can price your home for in the current market.
Buyers might also have a higher sense of urgency to close on a house, with their children’s school year fast approaching. This means that they might push for a faster closing and make more competitive offers.
There are some negatives to selling in the summer, though, depending on where you live. For example, if you live in a place where the summers are unbearably hot, there might be a lot fewer buyers shopping around during this time. It also may cost you more due to needing to keep your home air-conditioned and your lawn meticulously maintained.
Fall
If your home is in imperfect condition, selling in the fall could make sense. With less inventory on the market, there is less competition. Buyers can also have a high sense of urgency during this season because they want to get settled into their new homes before the holiday season.
Even though most people are shopping for homes in the spring in most places, there are still always off-season shoppers who are moving for work or family reasons.
Depending on where you live, fall might be a time of autumnal colors and natural beauty or it could be a time of dying flowers, bare trees, and brown grass. The former can help increase your curb appeal and a sense of beauty and coziness, while the latter most certainly will not.
If you live in a climate where the winters are long and harsh, the market will certainly slow down as people settle in for winter. You also have to remember that people with kids will be less willing to move once their children have started the school year.
Another negative side of selling your house in the fall is that buyers may be more demanding, as they’re aware that the market is less competitive.
Winter
Typically seen as the worst season to see a house, it really depends on where you live and what your circumstances are. For example, if you live in a climate that is warm year-round or are selling a property in a ski-town, winter might be the perfect season to put your house on the market.
If you are selling in one of these hot winter markets, there will be similar competition as there is in spring elsewhere in the country. If winter is definitely off-season where you live, there are some pros and cons to selling your house at this time of year.
You might have a better chance at snagging a top real estate agent in the winter, whereas they’re probably booked up in the spring and summer.
Also, if your lawn and gardens have seen better days, imperfect aspects of your landscape can be covered and improved by a fresh winter’s snow.
On the other hand, keeping your house showing-ready during the holidays can be stressful.
One of the main reasons that people tend to avoid selling their house in the winter is that buyers are often looking for a deal with a sense that winter sellers are desperate.
There Are Benefits to Selling Your Home During All Seasons
While in a perfect world the best time of year to sell a house might be that perfect two-week span for your region, most of us don’t live in a perfect world. If you’re forced to sell your home at an unideal time, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. So don’t fret, weigh your options, and make the decision that works best for you, your family, and your finances.
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