What Are the Best Months to Sell a House?

The housing market is on the rise. The end of 2019 saw a nearly 4 percent increase in housing prices. Phoenix, Charlotte, and Tampa were among the cities that saw the biggest increases. 

Prices could get even higher in 2020. But before you list your home, it helps to know the best months to sell a house. The best time to put a house on the market depends on a few factors, including your location.

Keep reading to find out more about the best time to sell a house. 

The Appeal of Spring

Of course, some people manage to sell their house in winter. There are fewer buyers, but they might be more motivated because, for instance, they need to move suddenly for a new job.

But for the most part, winter sales are slow. There's a good reason for that. If you live in a cold, dreary climate, it's harder to do things, including listing your house for sale.

People who are less productive in winter often get a burst of energy in March or April. That's good news for both buyers and sellers.

In many locales, May is the best time of the year to sell a house. It gives sellers a few weeks of spring to make any last-minute repairs. And the weather is warm enough for buyers to hop in their car and hit up some open houses.

Remember: to find the right buyer, you need to maximize exposure to your house. Late spring is ideal from that standpoint.  

Selling a House in Summer

In other situations, the best time to sell a house is in June or July. Those months may not be quite as popular as May, but you should still find plenty of takers if you list your house then.

Yet summer months can also be more frustrating for both buyers and sellers. For one thing, the pace of life tends to slow down once school lets out. 

More people are traveling. Let's say you list your house in late June, then go on a two-week vacation in the middle of July. That's good for you, but it's bad for potential buyers who want to move forward with an offer. 

The weather is another factor that often gets overlooked when selling or buying in summer. If you're in Seattle, then summer weather shouldn't be an issue. But if you're in a place like Arizona, there are going to be days when it's too hot to go house-hunting.

Both buyers and sellers want warm weather, but they don't want to feel uncomfortable every time they step out of the car. 

Early July is the ideal time to sell in a few markets. But for most cities, May and June are your best bets. 

Beyond the Best Months to Sell a House

By now, you should know more about the best months to sell a house. But these are guidelines, not laws. 

If you have to sell your home in fall or even winter, don't panic. It may take a bit longer, but you should still be able to find a buyer.

For more help on selling your house, check out our blog on virtual home tours. They're a useful way to get people to view your house in the off-season.