When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Florida?

When is the best time to sell a house in Florida?

The best time to sell a house in Florida depends on your selling objectives. There may be a better month for the best time to sell fast and a month for the best time to sell for a higher price.

What part of the state you live in also affects your home’s sale. Your neighborhood, city, and surrounding community have characteristics and trends unique to your location.

According to Florida real estate agent Josh Dotoli, selling your home is likely to be a swift process once you choose to list it. He’s got the inside scoop, selling properties 54% faster than the average agent in Fort Lauderdale. “A typical home will spend about 30 days on the market before going under contract and the average escrow period is 45 to 60 days.”

Florida’s real estate market is currently abuzz with activity. Thomas and JoAnn Jacobs, a top real estate agent team in Tallahassee, explain that “the difference between the best and worst months is not that big.”

To give you a better idea, we’ve looked at real estate transaction data for 15 cities of different sizes and provided an overview of what might be the best time to sell your Florida home and the possible benefits. Your selling results will vary depending on what’s happening in your market and other home-selling variables.

5 large cities in Florida

5 mid-sized cities in Florida

5 smaller cities or towns in Florida

All charts based on historical home sales data, 2014-2023

Enter your city into our free online best time to sell calculator and check out the best times to sell your home in Florida.

One major trend you should know about in Florida is the increasing number of people deciding to call Florida home. “Folks from the North flock to Fort Lauderdale for the mild winter and sunny days after enjoying the December holidays,” Dotoli says. “Each year, more and more seasonal renters decide they are ready to purchase and secure a residence [in Florida].”

Here is a list of six other seasonal trends that can affect home sales and real estate transaction timing in Florida:

1. The influx of retirees in Florida has earned it a reputation as a popular destination for those enjoying their retirement years. With a significant number of older adults choosing the subtropical state as their home, Florida ranks as the fifth-oldest state in terms of the age of its population.
2. Vacationers scoop up second homes after spending a mild and pleasant December down in Florida. The pleasant weather has enticed many to invest in properties, seeing the state’s warm climate as an appealing retreat or investment opportunity.
3. Beaches and lovely views are also attractive for another crowd, the work-from-home crew. Thomas Jacobs notes that rural homes in Florida are now viable options for remote workers because of an “emphasis on getting an internet connection to some rural areas. We can see it’s getting better.”
4. The ebb and flow of the school year matter when selling your home in Florida. “Schools are a big driver of movement in our area,” Thomas Jacobs says. “Families usually move during the summer.” Dotoli agrees and notes, “May and June [the end of the school year] are also busy” months of the year for him.
5. Buying a house is an increasingly attractive option for college students. Tallahassee has two major campuses, Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Sometimes, students don’t want to stay in student housing, and apartments close to campus have higher rent. Those students may decide that buying a home is a more sound financial decision.
6. Companies relocate at the end of the year. Although the corporate movement is somewhat constant throughout the year, “it seems like many corporations make a lot of moves at the end of the year,” JoAnn Jacobs says. That means a bump in demand may occur in those months.

Check out our expertly curated list of tips and tricks for selling your home in Florida.

Insider tips to help sell your Florida home

No matter what time of year you decide to sell — or need to sell — here are some tips from our expert agents that can help you with a fast sale or get top dollar for your home.

To boost your home’s selling potential in the Florida market:

• Add a backyard fire pit, or a pergola for some shade — and be sure to market your home’s outdoor space.
• Install hurricane glass or shutters.
• Investigate your roofing. If your roof has less than five years of life remaining, insurance companies may require it to be replaced before the sale.
• Advertise your home’s proximity to the university. The university may be a major employer in the area, and many buyers will appreciate knowing about the walking distance and convenient commute.
• Even if you don’t currently have a home office, stage a dedicated workspace or showcase a neatly organized extra room. An empty space allows potential buyers to envision how their own home office could fit in.

Answers to other Florida home-selling questions

Are homes in Florida appreciating faster or slower than in other states?

Florida is experiencing significant population growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state added approximately 347,000 new residents during 2023, marking it as one of the fastest-growing states in terms of population. As a result, Florida’s “appreciation of houses here is really good,” JoAnn Jacobs says.

Q2 of 2024 showed strong growth, with a single-family home’s median price increasing to $418,097. Now might be the time for you to take advantage of this strong seller’s market.

The first step is to see what your home might be worth using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. Our free tool uses transaction data from multiple sources to create a real-time value estimate based on current market trends.

What if I need a fast sale and closing in Florida?

If you’re facing a life change that requires a fast home sale or don’t have the time or money to make needed repairs, consider requesting an all-cash offer using HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Simple Sale provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Florida and across the nation. You can skip the repairs and showings and close in as few as 10 days. Complete a short questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.

What is the biggest mistake sellers make when selling a home in Florida?

One of the biggest mistakes sellers in Florida make is neglecting to address roofing issues. Given the state’s climate and frequent storms, a roof in poor condition can lead to major problems, including leaks and structural damage. Addressing roofing concerns before listing a home can help prevent potential issues during the sale process and can improve the property’s appeal and value.

Another thing that sellers forget to do is properly clean and stage the home. “Buyers are frustrated with the market, and they don’t like it when they walk in the house and the seller hasn’t done anything,” JoAnn Jacobs says, emphasizing that despite Florida’s hot market, sellers shouldn’t overlook presentation. It’s important that buyers don’t feel as though they’re being shortchanged.

Are more people moving into or out of Florida?

Florida is attracting a diverse range of newcomers, including retirees seeking warm weather and tax benefits, young professionals pursuing career opportunities, families drawn by affordable living and good schools, remote workers enjoying the pleasant climate, and people from colder northern states. This influx is driven by Florida’s appealing lifestyle, economic opportunities, and favorable climate, making it the second-most popular state for people moving from other states.

Some of the top reasons people move to Florida are:

• Comparatively lower home prices in rural areas
• Active, outdoor lifestyle
• Lower cost of living
• No personal income tax

Find a top agent in Florida for a successful home sale

Florida is a rapidly growing state. As the state grows, so does the demand for housing. Beautiful beaches, warm weather, and an attractive lifestyle make Florida an increasingly enticing destination for homebuyers.

In summary, here are a few things to consider about the timing of your Florida home sale:

• Housing inventory has grown but is still below pre-pandemic numbers, and demand remains high
• The retiree rush is real; people are flocking here to enjoy their golden years.
• Warm weather, individual freedom, and affordable housing draw in many people
• Outdoor areas are popular additions for selling your home
• Sellers might want to strike while the market iron is hot in Florida
• Certain listing months can give you a better selling price or a faster sale
• Use HomeLight’s free best time to sell calculator to see your city’s optimal times

Now you know the best time to sell your Florida home.

Another question you might consider is: What’s the best way to sell? Our data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents across the US sell homes faster and for as much as 10% more than the average agent.

Partner with a top Florida agent using HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform. Our matching service tool analyzes more than 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.

Header Image Source: (Aaron Burden / Unsplash)