What is the Best Time to Sell a House?
The first half of the year is typically the best time to sell a house. But while timing is important, other factors, including your location and current market conditions, play a significant role in determining your optimal time to sell.
A well-timed sale can set the stage for a smooth closing process. Understanding when to sell a house can also lead to a higher price tag and put more money in your pocket.
What is the best time of year to sell a house?
February through June are usually the best times to sell a house, but there are two main ways to determine the best time of year for you to sell your home:
- The time it takes to sell
- How much you can earn from the home sale
Spring and summer usually see increased demand from prospective homebuyers, partly because better weather and longer daylight hours make attending showings and moving more convenient — but this can still vary by region. For example, places with less distinction between seasons may not see as dramatic of an increase in the warmer months or as dramatic of a slowdown home sales in the fall and winter.
Learn more about calculating how much equity you can earn from selling your house.
What is the best month to sell a house?
The month of May gives you the most bang for your buck when selling your home. Home sellers receive a 13.1% premium above market value — meaning the home is sold an average of 13% above its value — when they sell in May. This is based on real estate data firm ATTOM’s analysis of more than 59 million single-family home and condo sales from 2011 to 2023.
How home seller premiums compare during different months of the year
| Month | Seller Premium |
|---|---|
| May | 13.1% |
| February | 12.8% |
| April | 12.5% |
| June | 12.4% |
| March | 12.2% |
Read more about our mortgage rate predictions and expert insights.
What are the best days to sell a house?
The best days to sell a house fall in the months of May, February, March and June. The best day to sell a home for the highest price is May 27, when a typical home sells at a 16.2% premium above the market average. As for the best day of the week to sell, listing your house on a Thursday may help get more eyes on your property, since this is when many buyers set up open house tours for the weekend.
Best days to sell a house based on largest to smallest seller premium
| Day | Seller premium |
|---|---|
| May 27 | 16.2% |
| February 25 | 15.9% |
| February 17 | 15.8% |
| February 15 | 15.7% |
| February 22 | 15.5% |
| May 25 | 15.4% |
| March 30 | 15.2% |
| March 25 | 15.1% |
| February 28 | 15.0% |
| February 24 | 15.0% |
What are the worst months to sell a house?
Sellers may see the lowest offers on their homes in September, October and November. During these months, holiday preparations often become the priority, so selling activity usually slows down. Or would-be homebuyers may simply choose to postpone house hunting until spring when inclement weather is less likely and it’s more convenient to travel to open houses.
Selling your home during a recession
Is it a good time to sell a house?
The spring months are typically a good time to sell a house. However, the best time to sell depends on your specific situation. For example, if you get a new job and need to relocate, selling immediately (regardless of the month) might be your best option.
Tips for home sellers
→ Work with a real estate agent: Sellers who used a real estate agent to sell their home earned $46,603 more in average profits than people who sold without an agent in 2022 and 2023, according to a survey from Clever Real Estate. An agent can help you set the right home price and offer guidance on the best time to sell based on their local market knowledge.
→ Pay some of the closing costs: If you need to sell your home fast, offering to pay some of the homebuyer’s closing costs may help attract more offers and speed up the closing process, especially in a buyer’s market. Closing costs typically include lawyer fees, inspection fees, taxes and title transfer fees.
→ Make necessary repairs: Depending on your home’s condition and the housing market, you may need to complete repairs before your house can sell. It’s important to reach out to contractors as early as possible to avoid delays, especially in the busy spring and summer months. If you aren’t able to pay for these fixes in cash, you can look into these home improvement loan options.
→ Invest in better curb appeal: Investing in your home’s curb appeal helps create a positive first impression and may help your home sell faster. An attractive curb appeal can also boost a home’s perceived value by 5% to 11%. Even simple landscaping or a fresh coat of paint can make a difference.
Frequently asked questions
Closing costs for sellers may include the real estate agent commission, home inspection fees and prorated property taxes and utilities. In total, seller closing costs typically cost anywhere from 5% to 10% of the home’s sales price.
The winter months, especially January and February, are typically the slowest time of year in terms of home sales.
Selling a house after six months is generally not ideal, due to the likelihood of you losing money. Waiting to sell allows more time for your home’s value to appreciate and helps offset your closing costs. If you need to sell due to a job relocation or another major life change, weigh the options and make the best decision for your situation.
The average time it takes to sell a house is just over 40 days — 42 days for conventional loans and 43 days for FHA loans. The time it takes to sell a house depends on various factors, including whether the buyer is paying with cash or a mortgage, and if issues come up with the appraisal or title search.