When is the Best Time to Sell Your House?

When is the best time to sell?

Moving is one of those big life changes that require you to make many small decisions along the way. In this article, I tackle the question of timing and give you tips on how to choose a date that will increase your chances of obtaining a premium price.

Before we get started, though, there is another question you should be asking first:

When does it suit your family to make this move?

It's OK to put your own needs to the fore in this circumstance. Plan around holidays, school start dates or trips away to provide as much continuity as possible for your loved ones.

If your options are still many and varied, then consider the following...

What do most owners do?

Many homeowners choose to go on the market in spring. This is often when they feel their home will look its best. Flowers are blooming. The grass is greener. The weather is getting warmer. The birds are singing.

It's true that houses look great in spring, but real estate markets run on supply and demand. So, putting your home on the market at the same time as everyone else can result in a situation where you have more competition to secure the buyers' attention at that time.

With new houses coming up for sale daily, buyers can fall in (and out) of love with homes very quickly.

To maximize your chances of success, consider these tips:

Beat the rush

If you are keen to put your home on the market when everyone else is, then get in early. Time your run to hit the market at the very start of the rush. That way, you'll get the benefits of the nicer weather, without the added competition.

Winter can be an ideal time to sell

There is something truly heartwarming about walking into a nice cozy home on a winter's day. Owners often rule out winter as an option, but those who do take the plunge in the cooler months secure great prices because buyers have fewer houses to choose from. That means more eyeballs (and potentially more offers) on your home.

If you have a warm, dry home with good heating, selling in winter is definitely an option worth considering.

Avoid long weekends (maybe) and potentially school holidays

Timing your listing to secure a great result is often about choosing the right weekend, rather than the right season. Try to avoid having your first open house on a long weekend if locals typically travel out of town. (On the flipside, you may get out-of-towners traveling to your area to house hunt on a long weekend.)

If your home could potentially suit a young family, then you may want to consider whether it's smart to list your home for sale during school holidays. Parents may have too much on their plate looking after kids to make big real estate decisions.

Sell with your future buyer-selves in mind

If you know when most owners choose to sell in your area (such as spring), then a smart play is to sell your home a month or two before that, so you can be a cashed-up buyer when all the new properties hit the market. That way, you greatly increase your chances of finding a home you love in the short amount of time available.

If you don’t put your house on the market before searching for your next home, your offer will be contingent on the sale of your current home, which will put you at a disadvantage in a sea of cash buyers.

The right time is when you are ready

No matter what, keep the initial message in mind as you make your timing decision: the right time to sell is when it suits you best.

If you have just spent months de-cluttering and tidying the garden, then the best time to go on the market is probably right now!

What's next?

You may have a number of other questions about the selling process. How much does it cost? What renovations add the most value? Should I put in an offer first? Or sell first?

Call me today to chat about your upcoming move. I can answer the questions above and any others you might have. I love helping owners in my community make smart real estate decisions.