When to Put Your Home on the Market

Home on the Market sign

Is it the best time to sell your home? Not sure if it’s the right time? There are pros and cons to selling your home and moving during every season of the year. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect throughout the year.

SPRING

Pros: Spring is selling season in the housing industry. A lot of buyers are in the market and you can expect more traffic than many other times of year. With grass greening and flowers blooming, it’s also a great time to capture those exterior shots that can give you an edge when creating an attractive listing.

Cons: There are more buyers in the market at this time of year, but there are also more homes on the market. Depending on what’s happening in your area, this can equal more competition for sellers. That being said, many wait until this time of year because of increased activity.

SUMMER

Pros: If you put your house on the market in the summer, the landscaping will probably be in its prime. This will give your home a great first impression! Even if you plan to put it on the market in the future, taking photos now is a good idea. This is also a great time to move in most regions because inclement weather isn’t likely to be an issue. If you have school-age children, you may want to move quickly so you are in a new district at the beginning of the new school year.

Cons: Many people are on vacation or involved in summer activities and choose to postpone house hunting until the fall. If you’re selling your home, this may mean less people are in the market for a home and foot traffic may be down a little. However, it could also mean there are fewer houses for sale, putting yours in demand!

FALL

Pros: This can be a great time to put your home on the market! Like in the spring, house hunters are active in the fall. Open houses may get more foot traffic at this time of year than they would in the summer or winter. Be sure to take exterior photography before your landscaping fades if that makes sense for your region.

Cons: Although fall is a great time to sell your home and the industry is very active, it can be a challenge to sell as the holidays approach and many people are focused on other things.

WINTER

Pros: Winter is definitely the off-season for selling homes in many regions, but this can be an advantage. With fewer homes on the market, there will likely be less competition! There are active homebuyers in every season and if your home is in good shape, it’s not unheard of for sellers to receive multiple offers because of lack of inventory. If you end up moving, ask your moving company if they offer discounted rates in the winter months.

Cons: A less active season may mean less traffic for home sellers. Inclement weather can also make open houses a challenge, depending on your region. That being said, there’s no wrong time to sell your home. Be sure to stage your home well and check out our photography tips for capturing exterior shots.

Ready to put your home on the market? You never know how quick it might sell. Get your home search started early in case you need to move fast. Start your search here »