Spring is the Best Time to Sell

Selling your home this year?

Homes are selling fast year-round, but homes listed in the spring command the highest sale prices nationwide.  Statistics show that listing on a Thursday in late April brings the greatest reward.

·         Homes listed for sale in the second half of April can expect to sell for 2.8% more, or about $9,300 on the typical U.S. home. 

·         The first two weeks of November are the worst time to list a home, associated with a 3.5% discount. 

·         The potential price difference between the best and worst times to list is 68% higher than it was before the pandemic. 

The pandemic-era housing market barely resembles the one from two years ago, with sky-high demand and record-low inventory driving intense competition for homes. Homes are selling fast year-round, with a difference of only a few days between the fastest and slowest periods. But one thing that's remained constant: Listing a home for sale in the spring will yield the best results. 

The potential price benefit from listing at the right time has grown as home values have increased. Listing during the best or worst times of the year can impact a sale price by as much as $21,000, compared to a difference of only $12,500 before the pandemic. 

With inventory as low as it is, home sellers can expect a quick sale pretty much year-round. Even as frantic buyers are snapping up homes days after they hit the market and often bidding them up above list price, there is still value to be had by listing a home during the right time of year, which is in the spring in most cases. This is a friendly market for sellers, but those who are simultaneously buying need a firm grasp on the right tools and strategies to win their next home.

Regardless of when they are listed, homes are selling quickly. The difference between the periods with the fastest sales (late January through April) and slowest sales (August) was only three days last year, compared to a difference of 12 days in 2019. 

Most home sellers become buyers as well, as they look for their next home. As the best season to list a home approaches, buyers should be prepared for a competitive and fast-moving market. Home listings in April get more than 30% more page views per day than average, meaning more interest and potentially a bidding war that ends in the home selling above list price. 

Buyers should sort out their finances early: deciding their budget, finding a lender and getting pre-approved for a loan. Whether buying or selling, a real estate agent with the right skills and experience can help expertly navigate the process. Feel free to give us a call any time!

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