The Best Time to Put Your House on the Market

Selling your home can take a toll–emotionally and financially–particularly when deciding when to put it on the market. Timing it right could mean more buyer interest, fewer days languishing on the market, and even a higher seller price. But the wrong time could result in a sluggish sale or leaving more money on the table than you’d like.

Let’s take a closer look into when the best time is to list your home–and why timing, like so many other things, is so important.

Finding the Best Time to Sell Your House

May has traditionally been seen as the most profitable time to sell a home. However, more recent trends point to March as being the more favorable month to list a home across the U.S., in part due to less competition and enthusiastic spring buyers. Then again, there’s no one-size-fits-all “best time,” but what about the best day of the week?

By far, Thursday is considered the best day to list a home since it gives potential buyers time to see it at an open house over the weekend for a subsequent bidding war to ensue on Monday. By relying more on the weekend, the seller also isn’t going into open house fatigue by having the property available for non-stop showings all week. 

What Factors Go into the Best Time to Sell Your House?

Pinpointing just when the best time is to list your house typically comes down to the following:

Seasonality: Spring is King

The months of March–May have been designated as the “prime” selling season in most climates with buyers dipping their de-hibernated toes in the water, resulting in rising inventories and houses looking much more saleable in natural spring light. Winter (December–February), unless you’re in a warmer region, is the slowest season.

If your climate is warm year-round, however, like in Encinitas, you may find it easy to sell your home in any season, so you have the huge advantage of 365-day flexibility.

The Market: For Buyers or Sellers?

In a seller’s market, you may list at any time and have the potential to find a buyer. In a seller’s market, the inventory is short, meaning there are more buyers than there are homes. There can be many financial benefits to selling a home in a seller’s market, especially if it has gained substantial equity. 

What matters most of all is positioning yourself in the right way, no matter how the market shifts, either from seller’s to favoring the buyer (as is trending currently). Do you list now or wait until later? Why try finding this out all alone? Ask a local real estate professional for guidance on local sales trends to save you time, money, and headaches.

Readiness: Are You Ready?

Before listing a home, are you emotionally ready to handle a big move? Do you have your eye on a new home already? If your home sells fast, are you prepared to get out and move in time? Is your house prepped/decluttered for showings to boost its overall appeal?

Before listing your home, develop a game plan with your Realtor. They can walk you through the selling process and keep it as smooth as possible for you! 

Timing Tips for Your Home Sale

To get the most out of your listing, consider following these tips for maximum buyer impact:

• 6–8 week prep: Take the time to diligently prep in advance so you’re ready to make a splash on the market when the time is right.
• Study mortgage rates: Buyers will most likely jump–or stay on the bleachers–depending on whether mortgage rates dip or spike.
• Follow local trends: Real estate is extremely localized by nature, so touch base with a real estate agent who is an expert on local trends, which can vary even by specific neighborhoods.

Strategize Your Timing With an Encinitas Realtor Today

When is the best time to sell your house? When you’re ready and know when the market favors what you’re looking to get out of it. If you feel ready to take the next step in the Encinitas area, contact Realtor Linda Moore today to learn how to prep your house and help you strategize the best move to get the best results!