The Best Time to Sell a House by Location and Other Factors

What’s the best time to sell, according to location?

Although June is the best time to sell nationwide, it might not be the best time of year to sell in your particular market. Every city is different, and the best times of year to sell can change over time.

For example, Huerkamp sees most of the Twin Cities’ sales in the spring and early summer, when the snow has finally melted in Minnesota. Most people don’t want to sell or buy during the winter months, he says, to avoid moving during the icy season.

“Ultimately, if you’re looking to get the most money for your sale in any traditional market, when your home is going to look the best is going to be when your curb appeal is really good,” Huerkamp says. “And in Minnesota, our curb appeal doesn’t really look awesome until maybe mid-May.”

Huerkamp shares that the second quarter is also popular with families, as they don’t want to move their children during the school year. That mentality applies to other areas of the market, too, such as in Florida, where families still tend to sell in the spring and summer, according to Lanham.

Lanham notes that the best time to sell condos and vacation homes to out-of-towners is from Thanksgiving to Easter or Passover, since it’s still warm in Florida but cold elsewhere.

“People are in town. They come from New York; they come from Canada; they come from Boston; they come from California, and they flood our beach areas,” says Lanham. “There’s nothing like having a lot of people here so that we can try to command the best price for the sellers.”

In other areas, seasonality doesn’t play as big of a role.

“I definitely think seasonality matters in other areas, but I think San Diego’s a unique market where you can wear shorts and flip-flops most of the year,” says Phillipson. “It’s different. People don’t mind going out in all seasons.”

The table below breaks down the best month to sell in major cities and, since most homes take about three months to close, estimates the ideal time to list. It also shows how much more you could earn by selling during these peak windows.

The data is based on the housing market data HomeLight has collected. To find the best time to sell in your city, use HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell calculator.

How much difference can a well-timed sale make?

Peak selling times exist, but how much does it really matter? A lot, actually.

“A well-timed sale really can benefit you by upwards of 10% in the marketplace,” says Huerkamp. “In the traditional housing market, spring was always considered the best time to list. And it turns out, listing during that time could really net you around 10% more.”

If you want to get a sense of what your home might be worth before you list it for sale, use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. Our tool uses your home’s size, age, location, and other features and leverages trusted data sources of your local real estate market to generate an estimate. To set a listing price that aligns with your selling goals, work with a top agent as you put your home on the market.

What season is best for selling a home?

The time of year you choose to sell can make a difference in how many buyers see your home and how much competition you face. While no one season guarantees a perfect sale, each season comes with its own perks and challenges. Knowing how buyers tend to behave throughout the year can help you figure out when your home has the best chance of standing out.

Spring: Strongest buyer demand

Spring is often called the best time to sell a home because buyers tend to come out in big numbers after a long winter. Warmer weather, the start of a new homebuying season, tax refunds, and families hoping to move before the next school year all help bring more shoppers into the market.

If you’re looking to maximize your chances of a quick sale and a strong price, April, May, and early June are usually the sweet spots. With more buyers competing for homes, sellers often have a better chance of getting multiple offers and stronger bids.

Another benefit of selling during spring is that you can show off your home’s curb appeal. A fresh lawn, blooming flowers, clean outdoor spaces, and a little landscaping can make your home feel more inviting from the moment buyers pull up.

Summer: Sustained buyer interest (with a dip)

Summer usually keeps the momentum going from the busy spring season, especially in the early months. Many buyers are still actively searching, and families are often motivated to move before the school year starts.

The challenge in selling a home during summer is that things can slow down later as vacations, travel plans, and other seasonal activities take people away from house hunting. This can lead to fewer showings and less urgency from buyers compared to the spring rush.

Still, summer can be a great time to sell, especially if your home has features that shine in warmer weather. Backyard improvements, such as patios, pools, and entertaining areas can be big selling points for buyers looking to enjoy the season.

Fall: Motivated buyers

Fall buyers are often serious about making a move because many want to close before the holidays or settle in before winter arrives. These buyers may be more focused and ready to make an offer when they find the right home.

Another advantage for sellers is that there are usually fewer homes competing for attention than during the spring and summer rush. With less inventory on the market, your home may have a better chance of standing out to active buyers.

The downside is that seller advantages tend to fade as the fall goes on. As the season progresses and buyer activity slows, homes may not sell for the same premium prices they might have during the peak spring and summer months.

Winter: Fewer buyers

Winter is typically the quietest time for home sales because holidays, colder weather, and busy schedules can make buyers less eager to move. Many people choose to wait until spring, when the weather improves and more homes become available. But winter buyers aren’t usually just browsing. They often have a reason to move.

Whether it’s a job relocation, a major life change, or another deadline, these buyers can be highly motivated and ready to make an offer. Selling in winter can also work well if you live in a warmer climate where weather isn’t a major factor. In these areas, sellers may still attract buyers while facing less competition from other homes on the market.

When is the best day to list?

In addition to the best time of year to sell a house, there’s also the best day to list your house. Experts suggest strategically listing your property on Thursdays. By listing on Thursday, you’ll catch buyers’ attention as they make plans to attend open houses over the weekend when they’re most likely to be out and about.

“You want to prep the public,” says Lanham. “You want to make sure you’ve got all your social media advertising alerting the public that there’s going to be an open house during the weekend.”

What are the worst times to sell?

Just as most cities have the best time to sell a house, many also have the worst time to sell. These can be times when many houses are being listed, meaning you’ll have to compete with other sellers for a good sales price.

There can also be times when buyers aren’t looking as much. For some areas, this might be the holiday season when people are more likely to be busy with family or out of town.

For example, Huerkamp shares that activity in the Twin Cities slows down in the winter due to frigid Minnesota weather. In fact, last January saw a 12.07% decrease in sales prices in Minneapolis.

The consensus is that January is the worst month to sell because fewer buyers are in the market, with many still recovering from holiday expenses, and winter often deters house hunting while making properties less appealing. However, according to historical data, February is the least favorable month to sell a home.

Ultimately, the ideal months depend on your location. Sell strategically by finding out the best and worst times in your area.

How do mortgage rate trends affect the best time to sell?

When you’re trying to figure out the best time to sell your home, mortgage rates are worth paying attention to. When rates are lower, more buyers can afford a home, which usually means more competition, faster sales, and stronger offers.

When rates drop from 7% to 5% (as they did to historic lows below 3% in 2020 and 2021), monthly payments became much more affordable for buyers. That brought more buyers into the market. On the other hand, when rates climb, borrowing gets more expensive, causing some buyers to hit pause or scale back their budgets, which can slow demand.

Mortgage rates have settled into the low-to-mid-6% range this year, giving some buyers more confidence to make a move. Although rates aren’t the only factor that influences the housing market, they play a major role in how many buyers are shopping. Lower rates often mean more competition, which can work in your favor as a seller.

How to time your sale right with a top agent

A top local agent can take the guesswork out of timing your sale. They understand what buyers in your area are looking for and can help you decide when to list based on your goals, whether you’re hoping for a fast sale, more money, or both. They’ll also help you get your home market-ready, so it’s in its best shape before the first buyer walks through the door. That preparation can make a big difference in how quickly your home sells and the offers you receive.

But before your agent can help you figure out the best time to sell, you’ll need to know when to bring them into the process. Most agents will give you the same advice: reach out sooner rather than later. The more time they have to work with you, the more they can help you prepare your home, create a game plan, and make sure you’re on track to reach your selling goals.

“Anytime that we have a four-week window before you’re looking to actually have the house hit the market, that’s how we can make sure that you’re most poised to sell in the least amount of time for the most amount of money,” advises Huerkamp.

Plan your target sell date

Figuring out how much time you’ll need to get your home ready for sale can make the whole process less stressful. It helps you plan the rest of your timeline, whether you’re moving, buying another home, or figuring out your next place to live.

Getting ready to list can take some time. You may need to tackle repairs, stage your home, schedule photos, and finally put the listing live. After that, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to get offers, choose the right one, and move toward closing.

If you want to get a better idea of how long your home might sit on the market, ask your agent about the average days on market in your area. This number shows how long homes typically take to go under contract and can change depending on the season, market conditions, and buyer demand.

In a seller’s market, homes can move shockingly fast. In a more balanced market, homes receive fewer offers and tend to sit on the market for longer. That’s why it’s important to consider local market conditions as you plan to sell.

The average days on market can also help determine if your home is priced correctly.

“What we typically tell consumers is that anytime at your specific price point, if you’re on the market longer than the average days on market for your price point, then you need to do a price reduction of five percent,” Huerkamp says.

Thinking about dropping your listing price? Timing can make a big difference. Cut the price too quickly, and buyers may think something’s wrong with the home. Wait too long, and your listing could start getting overlooked. Find out how long you should wait before reducing your home’s price.

Fix your home before listing

You’ll want to give yourself some extra time to make any updates your home needs before putting it on the market. Both Huerkamp and Lanham share that updates aren’t as important in a seller’s market, where buyers are more willing to fix problems on their own if it means a shot at limited inventory. When buyers gain more leverage, however, they are less willing to buy houses that will require repair work on their part.

No matter what the market looks like, a few simple updates can go a long way when it comes to making your home more appealing and boosting its value. A fresh coat of paint and fixes for any obvious issues can help your home make a better first impression. Just remember that contractors tend to get booked up during the spring and summer, so plan ahead if you need help getting your home ready to sell.

Most common repairs

Some issues with your home may come up during the appraisal or inspection process and could affect your sale. Your real estate agent can help you figure out which repairs are worth tackling before you list and which ones you can leave alone. Some of the common issues you need to address include foundation problems, electrical defects, plumbing concerns, roof damage, and HVAC replacements. 

Even if buyers are more willing to overlook repairs in a seller’s market, you’ll still need to make sure your home meets certain property requirements if a buyer is using an FHA or VA loan. These types of loans require the home to pass an appraisal that checks for basic safety and livability standards before financing can be approved.

Updates for sellers to consider

The most common updates that Huerkamp suggests are a fresh coat of paint, carpet cleaning, and a deep clean of the entire home.

“Those are the three most popular things that we recommend to sellers,” he says. “Two of them, they can do themselves if they really have a good skill set of making sure everything’s totally clean with the deep clean and the painting.”

If you want to go for bigger updates, consider replacing outdated fixtures in your kitchen, such as appliances, countertops, or flooring. But make sure to talk to your real estate agent about what updates will get you the best return on investment.

What if you need to sell fast?

While timing can play a big role in getting the best results from your home sale, not every homeowner has the luxury of waiting for the perfect market conditions. Sometimes life happens, and you need to sell quickly because of a job relocation, divorce, an unwanted inheritance, financial changes, or another major life event. 

In these situations, the goal isn’t always finding the “perfect” time to sell. Rather, it’s finding the fastest and smartest way to move forward. 

HomeLight’s Simple Sale can help homeowners skip the traditional listing process by connecting them with cash buyers who are ready to make an offer. 

Instead of spending weeks preparing your home, making repairs, or hosting showings, you can sell as is, get a cash offer quickly, and close within seven days. It’s a simple option for sellers who need more flexibility and want to avoid the uncertainty of a traditional sale.

»Learn more: Selling your home quickly doesn’t mean you have to settle. Use our Home Cash Offer Comparison Calculator to compare offers and see which option gives you the best value.

List your home at the right time

The best time to list your home depends on a mix of factors, including local market conditions, buyer demand, and your personal timeline. While certain seasons and market trends can create better opportunities, there’s no single “perfect” time that works for every seller. The key is understanding what’s happening in your area and making sure your home is ready when the right opportunity comes along. 

A real estate agent can help you evaluate the market, choose the right listing strategy, and avoid costly timing mistakes. They’ll use their local knowledge and experience to help you make a decision that aligns with your goals. Partner with a trusted real estate agent through HomeLight to find the right time to list your home and get the most out of your sale.