Is “Now” the Best Time to Sell a House?

✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.

Definitely, yes. April is a good time to start prepping your home for sale. Housing demand is at its peak, but inventory is still tight. The median home price is currently at $412,095 and is expected to continue rising in 2024. 

But home prices aren’t the only factor expected to increase. Mortgage rates, though lower than their 7.79% peak in October 2023, are also inching their way up. The current 6.8% mortgage rate favorably treats home shoppers. But it may not do so in a month.

If you want to take advantage of the buyer demand before the mortgage rates spike, list your home on the MLS NOW!

When Is the Best Time to Sell a House?

Determining when to sell a house depends on your goals, whether you are aiming to maximize profits or sell quickly.

1. Best Month to Sell Your House for a Higher Price

April to July are the best months to sell a house. In April 2023, the median sale price was $408,126, with an expected rise in 2024. States like Alabama, Ohio, and Florida typically see higher sales during this period.

» Home Value Calculator: You can find your property’s current FMV in a few seconds and list the home accordingly.

2. Best Time to Sell Your House Quickly

Again, April to July are the best months to close your home sale quickly. During these months, homes spend an average of 29-36 days on the market, 10-15 days less than the rest of the months.

Fewer days on the market are considered an indicator of a seller’s market. However, people who have to move due to job relocation tend to do it during November and December. Such sellers are usually eager and have strict home-selling timelines.

3. Best Day of the Week to List Your House

Thursday is the best day as 21% of homes nationwide are listed on Thursday and get better exposure. Homes listed at the start of the week had to stay on the market longer.

To make the most of the best time to list a house, consider putting your home on the market on Thursday after 5 p.m. This timing aligns with when buyers, returning from work, begin browsing online listings.

4. Best Season to Sell Your House

Spring is the primary housing season of the year. If you have time flexibility, listing your home in late spring or early summer can yield quicker sales and higher profits.

These seasons are ideal for three reasons:

• Families can settle without disrupting their kids’ schooling.
• Fall and winter are busy seasons, leaving little time for house-hunting.
• Summer offers longer daylight hours and better weather, which is ideal for scheduling house showings.

But winter still holds an opportunity for a home sale in warmer regions. Buyers visit places like Montana and Vermont to invest in a second home for their holidays.

Best Time of the Year to Sell a House

Spring and the onset of summer are generally the hottest time to sell a house in the USA. Buyers are motivated to move to a new place before the school year starts. Hence, it leads to competition. which then drives up prices.

Check this latest table to find the best and the worst months to sell your house:

Month	Average Home Sale Price	Houses Sold	Days on Market
January	$382,836	279,478	52
February	$387,234	330,990	52
March	$400,958	450,597	44
April	$408,127	416,167	36
May	$418,270	498,062	31
June	$425,358	525,299	29
July	$421,890	450,387	29
August	$420,089	486,120	31
September	$412,089	423,745	33
October	$413,609	404,437	34
November	$408,295	365,496	37
December	$402,305	358,148	43

When Should You Sell Your House?

Here’s when you can consider selling your home:

When You Need a Change in Life

Sometimes, there are situations that demand a change in your life, such as:

• Job-Relocation: Say you have received an appealing job offer, but it demands relocation. This situation can force you to sell your house in a slow market.
• Adverse Neighborhood: You may need a safe neighborhood for your family or a house closer to your kids’ school.
• Divorce: Homes often hold a sentimental value for couples. But after a divorce, you may consider selling it a practical option.

When Market Conditions Are in Your Favor

Favorable market conditions can get you a top-dollar rate. Some factors that affect the real estate market are:

• Economy: Economic indicators like manufacturing activity, GDP, employment rate, costs of goods, etc., influence the market. When the national economy is slow, so is the real estate market.
• Interest Rates: Lower interest rates boost the demand for mortgages. This affects the real estate sector, thus increasing the price of the homes.
• Government Policies: The government can temporarily create a favorable housing market by implementing tax credits, subsidies, and deductions.

When You Are Financially Prepared

Here are a few factors to know if you are financially ready:

• Affordability: The average mortgage rate affects the affordability of buyers. Check in advance if the interest rates are surging or are expected to decline.
• Downgrade Your Expenses: If you own a bigger house and are looking to save on your property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees, you can sell the bigger house and move into a smaller one.
• Equity for New House: When your current home has procured enough equity to fulfill a healthy down payment, you can sell it at the right time.

Is Now a Good Time to Sell a House?

Yes, this is the right time to list your home. The summer season will be an excellent time for home sellers.

If you want to sell your house quickly and for higher profits, list it on the MLS. Houses listed on the MLS sell for 17.5% more than those off the MLS.

Houzeo can get your home listed on the MLS for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your listing gets syndicated to the online database of homes for sale. You can also save up to 3% on agent commission.

Eager to Know how Houzeo Works?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Best Time to Sell a House