Spoiler: it’s not when you think 📆.
For the longest time real estate “experts” have sold us the narrative that spring is the best time to sell a house. When spring flowers have sprung and lawns look luscious and the sun is shining, the increased curb appeal naturally makes even the dingiest of properties look better online.
On the flip side, many buyers are active during the summer months when they have some time off work, so your house has a chance of capturing some attention then. Or is it at the start of the year, when New Year’s Resolutions cause people to want to move, and lingering holiday decorations make every house look festive and cozy?!
So, really, when is the best time to sell your house? Let’s talk about the four seasons in more detail:
🍃🌸 Spring // The Blooming Market
This is the time of year that we most commonly hear is “best for selling”. But there’s certainly still a lot to think about if you’re considering moving home in spring.
Pros of selling in spring
- Curb appeal: Your garden is in full bloom, making your home look truly incredible.
- Daylight savings: Longer days mean more time for showings.
- The stats don’t lie: data from Zillow shows that homes listed in early May sell around 18 days faster and for 1% more money than average listings.
Cons of selling in spring
- Competition: The biggest con is the amount of competition you’ll likely experience from other sellers. If you think spring is the best time to sell, you’re not the only one with that idea, and buyers have more options on the market and can afford to be a bit more choosy.
⛱️😎 Summer // The Sizzler
The sun is shining, the days feel endless and it seems everyone is in a good mood. So what are the pros and cons of selling in summer?
Pros of selling in summer
- School’s out: Many families take this time to move as it’s less disruptive than during the school year.
- Vacation mode: Those buyers who’ve taken time off over the summer might be spending that time househunting.
Cons of selling in summer
- Everyone is away: The summer months are when many South Jersey folks are packing up and spending their summers at the Shore 🌊. Can you blame them?!
- Heat waves: When those temps reach over 100°, many want to sit inside with the AC and a frosty beer, rather than driving around looking at open houses.
🍁🍺 Fall // The Golden Glow
As we enter the cozy season, there are a lot of buyers who vacationed over summer and now want to move into a new property before the holidays. On the flip side, those with families are settling the kids back into school so this is the most unlikely time they’ll be moving. Let’s talk more about this:
Pros of selling in fall
- Serious buyers: Many people househunting during this time will be keen to close before the holidays, so they take their home search seriously and will likely put in a desirable offer.
- Visual vibes: The fall foliage isn’t a bad backdrop, right?! In fact, many think of the fall landscape as offering better curb appeal than spring does!
Cons of selling in fall
- Market slows: Fewer people shop for homes when they’re busy with the kids getting back to school, and planning for Thanksgiving and other festivities. You likely won’t get as many showings and offers.
☃️🧤 Winter // The Chill Factor
Ho ho ho, it’s the festive time of year! But is this a good time to move?
Pros of selling in winter
- Less competition: With fewer people selling in the colder months, there’s less competition on the market. In South Jersey, buyers are still house shopping year round, so you have a chance to capture their attention while there’s fewer homes for sale.
- Holiday spirit: With a new year approaching and everyone in a festive mood, buyers are in a good mood to make big life decisions.
Cons of selling in winter
- Weather woes: Snowstorms can bury your curb appeal, and dark rainy days can dampen buyers’ spirits.
So, when exactly should you sell?
You might be more confused than ever with there being multiple pros and cons for selling in each season. But there’s an important message here… the important thing is: you do you! There’s no “perfect” season to sell. In fact, the best time to sell is when you are emotionally and financially ready to sell.
If you need to sell in winter because you landed a job in a new city, then that is the time you need to move. Equally if you’re wanting to move the kids to a new school district but don’t want to disrupt their existing year, July might be the best time for you.
Rather than trying to time the market to find the “best time to sell”, instead you should:
- Hire a top rated hyperlocal real estate agent who will be able to guide you through exactly what you need to do
- Utilize a well-reviewed lender who can offer the flexibility to provide the pre-approvals, the loan information, and whatever else you need at the exact time you need it
- Take some time to clean, declutter and stage your home so that you home shines whatever the season ✨
- Use appropriate “comps” to price your home in the most strategic way so it captures the most attention from buyers (your agent will help you with this!)
The market ebbs and flows, but it's your personal timeline that matters most.
