If you’re planning to put your New York property on the market, it’s wise to position yourself for success — whether that means achieving the highest possible sale price or securing a quick closing. While preparing your home and selecting the right local agent are important steps, the timing of your listing can also have a significant impact on your outcome.
To help you determine the ideal time to sell a home in New York, we consulted with Lou DeMichele, a highly rated real estate professional who specializes in single-family homes. DeMichele also offers valuable tips and insights to help you attract committed buyers more efficiently.
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New York housing trends
According to DeMichele, who’s based in Central New York, the state’s housing market has begun to slow, although periods of stronger activity still come in waves.
“Compared to the last few years, I would say it is a little slower than it’s been, but things still seem to be coming in spurts when it comes to buyers and listings. Some weeks are stronger than others, but it does feel like the slowest my local market has been in the last few years,” DeMichele remarks.
In New York, homes generally remain on the market for about 59 days on average. In real estate terms, this timeframe is referred to as days on market (DOM) and measures the interval between listing and contract signing. By comparison, the national average DOM stands at 58 days.
The median value for homes in New York is approximately $671,500, reflecting no change from the year prior.
“I know there are some markets across the country that are flooded with inventory, but in my area, we don’t really see big swings one way or another. We’re just busier or slower, if that makes any sense. We don’t have anything that would have dramatically altered my local market in the last year,” DeMichele says.
What does this mean for sellers? While certain markets across the state, such as Manhattan, are showing signs of cooling, others, such as Upstate and the Capital Region, remain strong. Regardless of your local market, it is now more important than ever to price your home strategically and showcase it effectively in order to set yourself apart.
When is the best time to sell a house in New York?
Although elevated interest rates and housing supply are shaping the current market, New York traditionally experiences cyclical sales patterns with activity peaking during late spring and early summer. The period from May through August generally offers sellers the opportunity to maximize their returns. If selling quickly is your priority, the optimal time to list your property in New York begins in May.
Since it typically takes 59 days to find a buyer and about 41 days for the buyer’s loan to finalize, it’s advisable to list your property a couple of months prior to the peak selling window.
“Usually, in my area, the nicer weather is the busier season. If I were to pick a period, usually May and June to around September or October is when there’s the most activity in terms of transactions, buyers, and sellers. That’s usually when agents in my area earn the bulk of their yearly income,” DeMichele remarks.
While these months tend to be the busiest, timing can vary locally. Let’s examine sales data from some of the largest markets in New York to identify when you should sell your home — whether your goal is to maximize profits or to close quickly.
Best times to sell a house in New York City
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | June | September | You could sell your house for 8.8% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 12 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Buffalo
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 17.06% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | May | August | You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Rochester
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 6.36% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Yonkers
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 7.70% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | May | August | You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Syracuse
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 7.55% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Utica
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | August | November | You could sell your house for 6.40% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | August | November | You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
“When there are a lot of graduation weekends and things like that, it slows a little. But if the right thing comes up for the client, they’re still going to make time to get over there. I wouldn’t say it has an adverse effect — it might affect things a little, but not a lot,” says DeMichele.
To explore home-selling trends for additional cities, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Using these insights as a foundation, you’ll be ready to consult with a top-performing real estate agent in New York who can offer tailored advice on the optimal month to sell based on your unique neighborhood, situation, and local market conditions.
What’s the worst time to list a house in New York?
According to DeMichele, the worst time to sell a house in New York is around the holiday season, especially as several parts of the state are freezing cold and laden with snowfall at that point.
“Unless something really hits the nail on the head for someone, you usually just burn up market time if you list something close to Thanksgiving. You’re usually sitting until at least mid-January before activity starts to pick back up,” DeMichele says. “So, the worst time would be around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.”
Curious about your net proceeds? Try HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator to get an estimate of how much you could earn from selling your New York home.
What seller concessions help close a sale in New York?
To facilitate a successful transaction, some sellers in New York are choosing to offer seller concessions or provide credits to buyers. However, while last year’s NAR settlement removed the requirement for sellers to pay a buyer’s agent commission, DeMichele says it hasn’t significantly affected his market. “It hasn’t really changed how we do business in my area,” he explains, noting that most sellers still choose to compensate the buyer’s agent.
“If there are any consistent concessions, they’re usually with FHA buyers — they ask for concessions a lot,” DeMichele notes.
Below are typical seller concessions and credits you might want to offer to make your New York home sale more attractive and help finalize the deal:
- Pay a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Assist with a short-term mortgage rate reduction
- Provide a repair allowance to cover issues identified during the home inspection
- Cover the cost of the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal fees
- Take care of the initial months’ HOA dues, if relevant
- Agree to pay the commission fees for the buyer’s real estate agent
- Prepay property taxes or homeowners insurance for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in New York
As a leading agent in New York, DeMichele has extensive experience guiding sellers to meet their selling objectives, regardless of season or challenges.
“Preparation is most definitely key. I usually consult the client and go through the property. Not everyone is able to do this, but if possible, just buttoning up the house — touching up and straightening out any areas that might need attention or maintenance before going to market — goes much further than some people realize,” he notes.
Here are a few insider strategies from DeMichele to help you sell your property:
1. Set the right price from the beginning
Listing your New York home too high often results in a stagnant market presence and the need to lower your price later on. A well-informed pricing approach based on current comparable sales encourages significant buyer interest and competitive bids.
2. Partner with a skilled agent
Choose a knowledgeable local real estate professional who is familiar with your neighborhood and can expertly help you price, promote, and negotiate. An experienced agent will know exactly how to market your New York property to obtain the best possible sale price. According to HomeLight data, the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes for 10% more than the average agent.
3. Address the most important repairs
Be sure to fix noticeable defects such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or peeling paint — buyers often interpret minor issues as signs of bigger problems. Concentrate on repairs that maximize your return and boost buyer trust. A good local agent can also advise you on which repairs to skip.
4. Enhance curb appeal both onsite and online
Well-kept landscaping, a tidy exterior, and welcoming lighting create curb appeal that leaves a positive impression in person. In addition, high-quality images and virtual tours can help your New York listing stand out as buyers browse online.
5. Remove clutter and personal items
Clear away clutter by removing extra furnishings, personal photographs, and miscellaneous items to open up rooms and make them more appealing. A neat, neutral environment enables buyers to better picture themselves living in the space.
6. Provide a home warranty
Offering a home warranty reassures buyers by covering potential repair costs, which is especially reassuring for those considering older homes in New York. This can also set your property apart in a competitive market.
7. Be accommodating with showing times
Making your home available for viewings on evenings and weekends increases your chances of a quick sale. Flexible scheduling for showings can be particularly helpful for out-of-town buyers or those with busy work schedules.
8. Think about staging your home
Home staging often leads to faster sales and higher offers by helping buyers better visualize the space. Even partial or virtual staging can improve your listing’s attractiveness.
Partner with a Top New York Agent
Connect with a top-performing real estate agent in New York State. HomeLight analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to find you the best agent for your home-selling situation.
Answers to other New York home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in New York?
While some homes in New York may sell quickly, a rapid sale is not always guaranteed. If you require a swift home sale or lack the time and funds to complete necessary repairs, you might want to explore securing an all-cash offer via HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.
In minutes, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale provides cash offers for homes in nearly any condition across New York, allowing you to bypass repairs, staging, and open houses, and close in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake New York home sellers make?
DeMichele points out that one of the most common errors sellers make when listing a house in New York is deliberately overpricing their home and expecting to lower the price later on to better reflect its market value.
For example, with a house worth $400,000, DeMichele explains that, “Sometimes, sellers want to put $430,000 or $440,000 on the house so they have — and I’m using air quotes — something to ‘knock off,’ instead of pricing it appropriately.”
Find a top New York agent for a successful sale
Determining the best time to sell a house in New York depends largely on your individual goals and circumstances. However, selling your home quickly and at a favorable price doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right guidance, you can make sound decisions and steer clear of common selling mistakes.
DeMichele’s parting advice? “Think like the buyer.”
“My biggest suggestion would be to get someone, ideally a Realtor you trust, to walk through the house and explain what it looks like through a buyer’s eyes. Sellers always have blinders on — it’s their home, and they love it. But someone who lives in and loves the home sees it differently than someone coming in objectively,” he remarks.
Partnering with a skilled agent in your neighborhood ensures you have an experienced advisor by your side to facilitate a smooth and successful transaction. Connect with a top agent today.
If you’re buying and selling a home at the same time, explore HomeLight’s innovative Buy Before You Sell program. This progressive option helps you unlock your home’s equity to simplify the process. Make a non-contingent offer on your new property and move only once. Watch this short video to find out more.
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