Is There a Best Time to Sell Your Home?

Many home sellers second-guess the best time to put their homes on the market. There are definitely some considerations a seller should make as they prepare to list their home that could have an impact on the transaction. But is there really a best time? Let’s find out.

Putting market forces aside, holidays and winter are traditionally the best times for sellers. It may not be conventional for a seller to list their home in the winter – obviously, because of the weather. But you can bet those buyers who do show up – and they’re out there – are motivated; they don’t care about the season or timing. And motivation means offers.

And don’t think these buyers have to show up in person, either. With 90% of all homebuyers spending time on the Internet at some point in their search (according to the National Association of Realtors), a homebuyer can just as well make an offer using DocuSign from a beach in Hawaii! It may be more conventional to list your home in the Spring and Summer, but let’s face it, you’ll also see considerably greater competition.

Is there an ideal day of the week? As a rule of thumb, Sunday afternoons have traditionally been ideal, though Saturdays and even Fridays are becoming more commonplace in the real estate industry – specifically, the first weekend after the house has been listed. Photo shoots for online listings are typically done by mid-week so the house can go live in the MLS by Thursday. This should allow enough time for marketing printouts to be left in the home. Of course, the idea is to build momentum during the week to have the strongest first weekend open house possible.

So, despite traditions, in the end, it is up to the seller to decide for themselves what is the best time. They must consider a lot of factors, like their financial position, interest rates, neighborhood competition, flexible access to their home, and responsive online communication, among others.

Of course, having an experienced real estate broker makes a seller’s chance of success that much greater. That’s why if you’re selling (or buying) a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!