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

1 day ago 4

If you’re planning to put your Utah property on the market, you’ll want to maximize your chances of either securing the highest return or achieving a quick sale. Partnering with the right local agent and getting your home ready are important steps, but the timing of your listing can also have a major impact.

To help you identify the best time to sell a house in Utah, we consulted with Scott Willey, a top-rated Utah agent who sells 30% faster than the average real estate professional in his market. Willey also offers valuable advice and expert insights to help you attract committed buyers more quickly.

What's Your Utah Home Worth?

Get a near-instant real estate house price estimate from HomeLight for free. Our tool analyzes the records of recently sold homes near you, your home’s last sale price, and other market trends to provide a preliminary range of value in under two minutes.

Utah housing trends

According to Willey, Utah’s real estate market is characterized by elevated home prices and a supply that, while still limited, is gradually growing.

“Utah, particularly the Salt Lake City area, ranks as one of the most expensive real estate markets nationwide. Historically, this region has faced a limited housing supply due to geographical constraints, being landlocked by mountains and the Great Salt Lake,” he says.

Based on estimates from various housing market data sources, homes in Utah take about 38 days to sell once they are listed. In real estate terms, this is called days on market (DOM), which measures the duration from listing to signed contract. By comparison, the national average DOM is currently 50 days.

The typical home price in Utah stands at $541,500, reflecting an increase from last year.

“Utah is economically unique. Though it’s considered a smaller market compared to larger metro areas with a higher population, the employment sector is among the strongest in the country, particularly in the tech sector of Lehi, financial institutions, and banking downtown,” says Willey.

What does this mean for sellers? With home prices on the rise and Utah’s strong job market attracting buyers, there is still healthy demand. However, given increasing competition from more available listings, it’s especially important to price your home competitively and present it well to attract serious buyers.

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

The Beehive State traditionally experiences cyclical patterns where sales activity peaks during the spring and summer. This means the best time to sell a house in Utah to achieve the highest return is between April and July. If your primary goal is a quick sale, the ideal timeframe to sell a home in Utah begins in May. Keep in mind that the best time to sell can vary depending on the specific market or community within the state.

Since it generally requires 38 days to secure a buyer and about 40 days for a buyer’s financing to finalize, it’s a good idea to list your property around two to three months prior to the busiest selling period.

“Historically, the spring and summer months have brought the highest bar demand as the weather permits for easier showings, open houses, and also tends to be the time of year when buyers are experiencing life changes such as children graduating from school or job placement,” says Willey.

Let’s look at local transaction data across the state to determine the best time to sell a house in Utah, whether your goal is to maximize profit or complete a quick sale.

Best times to sell a house in Hurricane

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price July October You could sell your house for 5.92% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast February May You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Cedar City

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price January April You could sell your house for 7.27% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast August November You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Salt Lake City

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price August November You could sell your house for 8.21% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast April July You could sell your house 4 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Sandy

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price September December You could sell your house for 11.70% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast December March You could sell your house 16 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Provo

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price October January You could sell your house for 24.54% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast August November You could sell your house 22 days sooner than if listed in other months.

To explore home-selling patterns in other cities, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Starting with this data, you’ll be ready to consult a top-performing real estate agent in Utah who can offer tailored advice on the best selling month based on your specific location, situation, and current market conditions.

What’s the worst time to list a house in Utah?

According to Willey, the worst time to sell a house in Utah is the colder months. “Given our snowy winters and traditionally religious communities, many people are not in the home shopping mood during the holidays. Typically, the slowest time of the year for real estate transactions is November and December, and then it picks back up after New Year’s,” he says.

Wondering about your potential earnings? Try HomeLight’s complimentary Net Proceeds Calculator to get an estimate of how much cash you could expect from selling your Utah property.

What seller concessions help close a sale in Utah?

To achieve a successful sale, Utah sellers often offer concessions or extend credits to potential buyers.

“Seller concessions are most often used to cover traditional closing costs, including an interest rate buydown. Since interest rates came up in quarter two of 2022, many buyers are only able to qualify with a lower rate,” says Willey.

Below are typical seller concessions and credits you might want to offer to make your Utah property more appealing:

Insider tips to help sell your house in Utah

As a highly rated Utah agent, Willey is skilled at guiding sellers to reach their goals, regardless of seasonal challenges or market conditions.

“The most common recommendation is to have the home professionally cleaned and staged. Along with pricing accurately, staging a home and presenting it to the market with professional photography yields the greatest ROI,” Willey says.

Here’s a list of expert suggestions to help you sell your Utah home:

1. Set the right price initially

Pricing your home too high can result in a listing that lingers and requires cuts. A pricing plan grounded in recent comparable sales can spark buyer interest early on and generate competitive bids.

2. Select an experienced agent

Partner with a knowledgeable local professional who’s familiar with your neighborhood and can support you in pricing, marketing, and negotiating effectively. The right agent will know how to present your Utah property to attract strong offers. According to HomeLight’s data, the top 5% of agents consistently sell homes for approximately 10% more than the average agent.

3. Prioritize the right repairs

Address obvious defects such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or peeling paint — these minor flaws can make buyers worry about bigger problems. Focus on repairs that offer a good return on investment and increase buyer confidence. A skilled Utah agent can also advise you on what fixes to leave alone.

4. Boost curb appeal both in person and online

Well-maintained landscaping, a tidy exterior, and a bright, welcoming entryway build curb appeal that impresses buyers during visits. Professionally shot photos and virtual tours will make your listing stand out to online house hunters from the start.

5. Remove clutter and personal touches

Clear away clutter by removing extra furniture, family pictures, and knick-knacks to make rooms feel more spacious and inviting. A neutral, clean environment helps buyers visualize themselves living there.

6. Provide a home warranty

Offering a home warranty eases buyers’ concerns over possible repair expenses, particularly for older homes in Utah. This added protection can also help your listing be more appealing in a competitive market.

7. Be flexible with showing times

Making your home available at various times increases the chances of a quicker sale. Having weekend and evening slots open for showings can be especially important for buyers who are busy or from out of town.

8. Think about staging

Staging your Utah home often leads to quicker sales and higher offers by helping prospective buyers better imagine the space. Even partial or virtual staging can enhance your listing’s attractiveness.

Connect With a Top Agent to Sell Your Utah Home

It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property and how soon you’re looking to sell.

Our data shows the top 5% of agents across the U.S. help clients sell their home for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.

Answers to other Utah home-selling questions

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

Although some homes in Utah may sell quickly, a swift sale isn’t always guaranteed. If you require a fast sale or lack the resources to make necessary home repairs, think about requesting an all-cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.

In just minutes, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and get a no-commitment cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale offers cash bids on homes in nearly any condition across Utah, allowing you to bypass staging, showings, and repairs, and close in as quickly as 7 days.

What is the biggest mistake Utah home sellers make?

Willey points out that the most common error sellers make when putting their Utah property on the market is pricing the home too high. Hiring an inexperienced agent is another big misstep.

“Many sellers choose to hire the first agent they talk to, which oftentimes is a family member or close friend. This is highly irresponsible as the likelihood of a family member or friend being the most qualified to get that individual top dollar is often not the case,” says Willey.

Find a top Utah agent for a successful sale

The best time to sell a house in Utah depends on your goals. However, selling your house faster and for a better price doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right information, you can make smart choices and steer clear of common mistakes.

“It is extremely important for sellers to challenge why a Realtor should be the person they hire. If that individual cannot clearly articulate their value proposition, then the sellers should consider interviewing multiple agents,” Willey advises.

Partnering with a leading local agent ensures you have a dependable guide and advocate to help you achieve a successful sale. Get in touch with a top agent today.

If you’re simultaneously buying and selling a home, explore HomeLight’s innovative Buy Before You Sell program. This cutting-edge option unlocks your equity to simplify the process. Submit a non-contingent purchase offer on your next home and relocate only once. Watch this brief video to find out more. 

Header Image Source: (Michael Tuszynski / Unsplash)

Read Entire Article