Usually, sellers list their homes in the spring and summer because the weather is nice, especially for people in colder climates. In addition, families want to buy their next home before classes start, says real estate agent Liede DeValdivielso, one half of The DeValdivielso's team with Keyes Company in Coral Gables, Florida. Although June and July are the best times to sell across the country, they may not be the best times of the year to sell in your particular market. Every city is different and the best times of the year to sell can change over time.
In most areas, the best time of year to sell a home is during the first two weeks of May. You can expect to sell 18.5 days faster than any other month and for 5.9 percent more money. Elsewhere, early April or June is better for home sales than in May. There are pros and cons to selling spring homes.
The spring months are often considered the best month to sell a home. In fact, across the country, the first two weeks of May are often the busiest and most lucrative time for sellers. The best month to sell a home fast in California is May. The average time it takes for California homes listed in May to sell is 25 days, which is 8 days faster than the annual average.
In addition, the higher level of competition results in a greater number of buyers, higher sales prices, and more bidding wars. For example, if you have to move for a work relocation or a new military placement, the deadline will be beyond your control. From the ability to work around school schedules to the possibility of tax refunds, the final consensus is that the spring months represent numerous sales opportunities. On the contrary, that is often the worst time to buy, due to high prices and increased demand, says Donovan Reynolds, a Redfin real estate agent in Atlanta.
But before your agent helps you decide when to sell, you need to decide when to contact a real estate agent. Nationally, February is the worst time to sell in terms of sales price, and January is the worst month to sell in terms of speed. However, just as you wouldn't want to sell a house in upstate New York in the middle of winter, it's also best to avoid selling homes in hot places during the summer months. Even if you know there are times when it's better to sell than others, you may wonder what difference all of this makes.
The worst month of the year to sell a home is December, which ties with October with a seller premium of 5.8 percent, according to ATTOM. Sometimes, expected or not life changes may require selling for a slower month or time of year. There is a high level of competition, which can be a challenge for homeowners who are trying to sell a repair home. But, in tourist areas such as Florida, Arizona, Southern Nevada, and ski towns, winter is the best-selling season.
When faced with the dilemma of selling a house in the winter months, most people complain and say, “well, it's a bad time. Your home may not be “family friendly” or you may live on the coast, where some areas may be foggy and cold all summer long, but warm and beautiful in the fall. Importantly, home sellers who list on Clever get their first qualifying offer in an average of 24.1 days*, which is 9 days faster than the average time to bid in California.
