While you can sell your home in any season, is there an ideal time?

Experts agree, there is a best month to sell a house. However, there are a myriad of factors that affect your decision to sell a home, so the proper answer may be just below the veil. Let's take a look at some of the variables that may govern your path forward. When timing the sale of your home, your unique circumstances factor into your ability to move, so let's first identify what's important to you.

Is timing most important?

Are you under pressure from a job to move within a certain time frame? Or, perhaps you're trying to coordinate the sale of your home with the purchase of your new home.

Are you trying to get top dollar?

Perhaps your timing is flexible and you want to maximize the possibility of netting the highest possible return.

Is convenience a factor in your game plan?

Maybe the best month to sell a house is the one that makes it easy for you. Convenience plays a huge factor where health conditions may be a consideration and often in probate cases where an inherited property may have entered your life at an unexpected time. Each season brings different conditions that affect the attitudes of buyers, the needs of sellers and overall market dynamics. While the consensus may suggest a certain time of year as the best time to sell, this information is by no means a one size fits all solution. Let's take a look at the prevailing market forces that affect the majority of home sales.

Spring

The overall winner. According to the experts, Spring is the best time to sell a home. According to historical data in the majority of markets, the first two weeks of May are when homes sell the fastest and for the highest price. April and June are likewise great contenders when evaluating market conditions for sellers, making Spring a great time to list your home for sale. Spring means warmer temperatures. It’s not too hot, or too cold. The days start to get longer, leaving more time for house hunting. The flowers are blooming and all is right with the world. It's a common belief that your front yard will never look better then it does in Spring, so get on that curb appeal and capitalize on prime market conditions during Spring. Warmer weather also means the end of the school season, giving families a perfect window to close on a new home and make a move without a major upheaval to their progenies curriculum.

Summer

Competitive market. Summer has a reputation for closings. The homes buyers find in the spring, become theirs as summer hits. The end of June is actually the most common time of the year to close on a home, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still looking. In fact, summer typically has the highest competition for sales since many buyers are looking to lock up their ideal home and move before their kids return to school. Moving before school starts Long days and flexible schedules due to summer vacations can make it easier for buyers to look at prospective homes. Those with kids feel compelled to get a house before school starts. This makes the summer season different in every area, since school can start as early as the first of August or as late as after Labor Day. As the calendar gets closer and closer to the end of summer, buyers feel the pressure to get to the finish line. This sense of urgency is great for sellers since it can drive prices up. Nearing the deadline for local schools means offers become more competitive as buyers become determined to close and get their family settled before backpacks and buses become the focus.

Fall

A less competitive market. Not every area of the country has the best fall weather, and many people tend to turn their attention toward other things than selling a home. This brings inventory down, but also makes for fewer potential buyers. Fall is notorious for picky buyers, the ones who looked all spring and summer, but still have yet to find the perfect home. They’re motivated, but picky. The best part of selling in fall is capturing the beauty of the foliage in property pictures. The meretricious reds, the burnt orange and the soothing yellow hues look particularly beautiful in photographs. If you have a large estate, or one with a lot of foliage, this could be the time for your home to shine. A great season for repairs If you’ve put off listing your home because it needs repairs, fall is the best time to take care of those issues. Listing now, while competition is low means buyers most likely won’t want a fixer-upper. At the same time, the busy season is ending for contractors and other home repair professionals. You may secure better pricing during this season. For example, service your air conditioner in the fall, after it’s done being an essential appliance and you may get a great price. You can also begin planning bigger projects, like your next kitchen remodel, so work can start on the first warm day of next year. The best part of working with a professional when they’re not busy is the level of attention and care they have for your project. They’re juggling fewer projects, which means more time and attention for you.

Winter

Where the serious buyers are. Winter is prime home buying season in areas like California, Florida and Arizona. It’s not for the masses who are dealing with slush, snow and freezing temperatures. Houses can be harder to sell in winter for a few reasons. Curb appeal is debatable lower with bare branches, dormant grass and a fresh blanket of snow covering everything. It’s also harder to schedule showings since days are shorter, and people get busy with holidays and other commitments. At the same time, those buying are much more serious. They’re often on a time crunch if they're moving during the winter months.

Working around the holidays

The last three months of the year are filled with holiday activities. It’s especially challenging to stage your home during this season. You first have to take into consideration holiday decor. Your style might not resonate with that of the average buyer and you don’t want to turn them off. You also don’t want your home to feel too cluttered. Adding to the stress of decorating just right is preparing for the holidays themselves. Do you host? If so, what will that feel like to potential buyers wanting to see your home? They may feel like they're intruding.

Get a competitive offer on your home in any season

Even though most real estate agents will claim spring is the best time to sell your home, the best month to sell your home is the month that suits your needs. It all depends on your timeline and what works for your situation. You can avoid the hassle of staging your home and making repairs, in any season, by working with an off-market buyer. Especially if you’re living in a distressed property or have a property you're looking to get rid of with minimal hassle, a company like CoreMark Homes can make you a competitive cash offer today. After assessing your home and current market conditions, we are happy to make you a free, no-obligation cash offer. From there, your needs are our top priority. Our transparent sales process allows us to walk you through the offer and the sale of your home on a timeline that fits your life. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today.