Selling A Home? Here Is The Best Time To List It

If you’re selling a home, you want to do it when you’ll get the best offers as quickly as possible. Read here to learn the best time to list your home.
According to the latest statistics, it looks like 2018 may be a great year for people interested in selling a home. Before you place your house on the market, there are a lot of variables to consider. You want to do everything right, so you can get top dollar and close the deal fast.
One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is when to list your home. Did you know there are certain “magic windows” that drastically improve your chances of positive home sale results?
Seattle’s real estate market is super-hot right now, putting sellers squarely in the driver’s seat. Listing your home during peak times can make things even better by cutting closing times by up to 16 percent and adding thousands of dollars to your bottom-line. Here’s what you need to know.
The Best Month for Selling a Home
In general, most studies report that the best time to sell a home is between the beginning of March and end of May. The months of November and December, on the other hand, are the worst for home sales.
The month of May is overwhelmingly reported as the prime time to sell a residential property. The best specific week depends on the climate where your home is located.
Climate Variables
Some of the factors that impact the best time for selling a home include:
- Weather patterns
- Amount of sunshine
- Average temperatures
- Time zones
In Seattle, Washington, homes tend to sell the fastest between May 1st and May 15th. Areas with milder climates, like California, are usually less affected by this magic window. Ideal listing times in these locations are often far more flexible.
Local Factors
Whether the current environment is a buyer’s market or seller’s market can also impact your real estate transactions. This is often determined by factors like:
- Job market
- Interest rates
- Mortgage availability
- Tax incentives
Evaluate the entire “big picture” to get a good idea of the property sales potential in your local market.
Important Questions to Ask Your Realtor
While listing your property at the right time can go a long way, there are many other variables that impact your sale results. Ask your realtor about the area’s market saturation and the average number of days listed homes stay on the market.
Also, ask about the ratio between listing price and the final sales price. A ratio of 0.92 to 1.00 shows that you’re likely to get your asking price.
Anything below 0.92 may indicate that you’ll be disappointed with your final results. A ratio above 1.00 suggests a strong seller’s market where you may actually receive an offer higher than your asking price.
Ready to Sell Your Home? We Can Help!
These guidelines should help you create a general timeline and some estimates for your upcoming home sale. However, every piece of property is unique. If you really want the best tips for selling your home, you should work with a qualified realtor.
At Verra Terra real estate, we help you sell your home the smarter way. Our expert listing agents walk you through the entire process from setting up your listing to handing over the keys.
Contact us today to learn how our fixed-fee contracts can provide the exact solution you need.