When is the best time to list your home for sale? From my personal experience as a real estate agent, I can tell you that timing is everything when it comes to putting your house on the market. Choosing the right moment to list can significantly impact how quickly you sell your home. Below, I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of when exactly you should list your home for sale. Keep reading for my tips on the best time to list your home for sale.
When is the Best Time to List Your Home for Sale?
Best Time to List is Fridays
As a real estate agent, I always recommend listing homes for sale on Friday.
According to a Redfin study, homes listed on Friday tend to get 19% more viewings, and those listed on Friday or Thursday tend to sell for slightly closer to the original list price. The reason behind this is that most buyers tend to tour homes on the weekends, and thus, homes listed on Fridays tend to stay on top of their minds when they’re planning their weekends.
Many buyers actively search for listings on Fridays to prepare for the coming weekend. Listing your home on a Friday has an advantage since home buyers generally sort the homes they are seeing by the date listed and will usually see the newest home that has come to the market, thinking they can get in on a potentially good deal before other buyers.
And if you get enough showings and interests, you can potentially have the buyers come back with their best offers on Monday. Imagine selling your home after a weekend- that’s possible if you list your home on a Friday!
Don’t List on the Friday Before Long Weekends
Although I just said to list your home on Fridays, it’s best to avoid listing it on a Friday before a long weekend. Many potential buyers are busy or may be traveling during the long weekend, which could limit the number of people who come across your listing.
However, I’ve noticed that that long weekends can be great for open houses since buyers have more free time and these buyers tend to be serious buyers. Still, I recommend avoiding listing your home on the Friday before a long weekend to ensure that you have maximum visibility and a higher chance of attracting potential buyers.
Don’t list your Home during Major Holidays
Listing your home for sale during major Holidays like Memorial Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s is a big no-no. I find that even listing it a week before the holiday won’t yield the same results as you would during a non-holiday week.
This is because potential buyers will be busy traveling, meeting families, and won’t be able to give their full attention to house hunting. In fact, most of buyers will put their house hunting effort on hold during the week leading up to the holiday and the holiday week.
It’s best to wait until after the holiday season to list your home for sale when buyers are more likely to be available and focused on house hunting.
Check the School Calendar
It’s a good idea to check the local school calendar when listing your home for sale. It’s best not to list your home during school breaks such as Spring Break and Winter Break. During these school breaks, families are often traveling and not focused on house hunting.
Listing it for Summer Closing
If your home attracts families looking to move to your school district, then you should time it so the closing is in the summer so the new family can get settled before the start of the school year. Listing your home for sale in the Spring will give enough time for the closing process to be completed before the school year starts.
On the other hand, avoid listing your home in the Fall when families are hesitant to move because they don’t want to move their kids in the middle of the school year.
Don’t List Your Home When there is a Local Event
You should also be aware of local festivals and events in your area. Don’t list your home when there is a major festival or event taking place. You will get less views because many people might be busy with the local event.
Also out of towners coming in to see your home might be turned off by the congestion and traffic as a result of the local event. It’s best to wait and not list your home for sale when there is a major event happening.
Don’t List Your Home At the End of the Year
I’d avoid putting up your home for sale at the end of the year, especially during the holiday season. This is because potential buyers are usually busy with family, travel and parties and might not have the time to fully focus on house hunting.
It’s common for people to put their home search on hold during the holiday season. As a result, the number of potential buyers willing to visit your house and attend your open house is significantly lower. So, it’s best to skip the holiday season and avoid listing your home at this time.
Be the First to List Before Spring Season Begins
It’s common for people to wait until spring to sell their homes. They tend to avoid listing during the winter months due to the holidays and the potential for snow or bad weather to disrupt viewing.
However, listing your home for sale just before the spring season begins can be advantageous. Personally, I’ve found that listing in February can lead to a quick sale. There’s a sweet spot at the end of winter and before the spring market begins where many buyers are eagerly waiting for new listings.
By being one of the first to list, you can get more views and have less competition, resulting in a quicker sale. If you’re interested in learning more about why winter is a good time to sell your home, check out my article.
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