When is the Best Time to Sell a House?

   

It’s the age-old puzzle in real estate: When should I sell my house? It’s a simple question and homeowners are looking for a straightforward answer. But the right answer is anything but straightforward. So many factors come into play when selling a house that there’s one easy answer to this question, and several not-so-easy answers.

Let’s take a look:

Easy answer: Season determines when your house will sell.

If you’re looking for a simple solution, spring is the best time to sell your home. That’s because families are looking to move into a new place before school starts in September.
Assuming it takes three months to complete the transaction and 3 months before that for the buyers to sell their own house, you’re looking at an ideal listing date of early March.

Spring is also tax refund season, and buyers will be looking to invest their refunds into a down payment. That’s the current wisdom.

You’re all set, right? Well, not so fast…

The problem: Every other homeowner thinks spring is the best time to sell a house too!

Everyone and his brother who’s planning to sell will want to list in spring.
A glut of listings can create a buyer’s market, meaning buyers will be spoiled for choice and will have leverage for negotiating key things like price. For that reason, when deciding when to sell your house, spring isn’t always the best option.

You’re more likely to get a better price for your home in a seller’s market, when there are few listings and lots of buyers competing with each other for offers.

The trouble is a seller’s market can happen in any season. It’s a question of staying informed.

Keep an eye on your local real estate market.

A successful sale isn’t as easy as slapping up a “FOR SALE” sign and waiting for interested buyers to show up. If that’s your approach, it’s no wonder you’ll end up scratching your head asking yourself, “When will my house sell?”

Be aware of what’s going on in your local market. Your location, the kind of property you are selling and your asking price will drive demand. Do some research and find out how quickly other homes are selling and for how much.

If houses in your area are selling like hotcakes, whether it’s winter, spring or fall, it’s a good time to sell.

So, when should I sell my house?

The truth is the best time to sell your home is when the timing is right for you and your family.
In most cases, homeowners need to move for work, meaning they don’t have the luxury of waiting for the opportune moment to list.
Whatever the case, the best way to ensure that your house will sell quickly, no matter the time of year, is to price it well within market range, present it well with good home staging and curb appeal, and market it successfully with the right tools and exposure.

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