✏️ 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.
Historically, no. But Seattle’s squeezed inventory and raging affordability crisis make it a peculiar market. The median home sale price in Seattle is $815,000 which decreased by 4.1% compared to 2022.
In fact, home prices have been rising in several metros across the Emerald City since late summer. Prices rose 45.7% in North Creek. East Hill-Meridian and Birch Bay saw a 20 % rise. The rising trend can get you more money which makes now the best time to sell your house in Washington.
Key Takeaways
- Is this the Right Time to Sell a House in Seattle? Yes, it is the right time to sell a house. Home prices in North Creek, Woodinville, and Lynden are rapidly increasing.
- Best Month to Sell a House in Seattle: May is the best month to sell. Homes sell upto 108% above their listing prices in May.
- Best Day to List: Thursday is the best day to put your house on the market. 21% homes are listed on Thursday. This could get you maximum exposure and sale profit.
- Best Way to Sell: List on the MLS with Flat Fee MLS companies in Seattle. MLS is an affordable way of selling your house. However, you can opt for a Realtor or a Discount Broker for selling your house.
Which is the Best Month to Sell a House in Seattle, WA?
The best month to sell your house depends on your goals as a home seller. There is a best month to sell and earn higher net proceeds. While there is a best month to sell your home fast.
Best Month to Sell Your House by Price
As per our research, May is the best month to sell your house in Seattle. The median sale price of houses in May 2022, was $893,600 which is $59,000 above the median selling price.
Moreover, the sale-to-list price ratio was above 108% for nearly 62% of homes in Seattle.
Homes listed in Seattle between February and July spend the lowest days on the market. However, home prices in metro cities like North Creek, Union Hill-Novelty Hill, Blaine-Birch Bay, etc. are found to increase throughout the year.
» Home Value Calculator: You can find your property’s current FMV in a few seconds and list the home accordingly.
Best Month to Sell Your House by Speed
May 2022 is the best month to get a higher price for your property. Homes sit unsold for fewer days on the market between February and July.
Seattle homes sold in May 2022 spend an average time of 6 days on the market, which is 7 days faster than the annual average.
Properties spending fewer days on the market is considered an indicator of a seller’s market. Of all, this is just a small portion of the overall picture. When should you sell also depends on the situation and location of your property.
Best Day of the Week to List a House For Sale in Seattle, WA
Thursday is the best day to list houses on sale in Seattle. 21% of homes across the nation are listed on Thursday. Zillow’s data shows homes listed on Thursday get better exposure compared to homes listed on any other day.
People searching for houses plan their home tours on the weekends. So the pre-weekend listings are fresh in their minds. It makes sense to avoid listing your house at the start of the week. These homes had to stay for longer on the market.
To take advantage of the time game, consider listing your home on Thursday after 5 p.m. This is the time when most buyers and sellers return from work and start looking online.
There’s a good chance that buyers may see your brand-new listing.
Which is the Best Season to Sell a House in Seattle?
Spring is the housing season of the year. As the weather warms more serious buyers start hunting and touring homes.
Moreover, families with school kids look forward to settle in their new homes during summer vacations. This increases the competition which benefits the sellers to sell at higher costs.
But in regions like Seattle, summer still holds an opportunity. The maximum number of houses listed in spring have already been sold by this time. This reduces the competition in summer for home sellers.
Longer days in summer provide more exposure to your condos and townhouses in the Emerald City. This enables longer showing time, to fulfill the high curb appeal of buyers.
However, by Fall you can come across more serious buyers looking to relocate due to job transfers. Such buyers are usually eager and have a strict home-buying timeline.
When is the Best Time of the Year to Sell a House in Seattle, WA?
When selling your property timing is everything. Seattle has a dynamic real estate market. It can be challenging to sell your house in the current economic situation.
March up to June are considered the home-selling months. You can sell faster and earn higher sale proceeds during this time of the year.
| Month | Average Home Sale Price | Houses Sold | Days on Market |
| January | $730,000 | 639 | 19 |
| February | $779,950 | 756 | 6 |
| March | $889,000 | 1,144 | 6 |
| April | $881,000 | 1,167 | 6 |
| May | $893,600 | 1,188 | 6 |
| June | $875,000 | 1,135 | 6 |
| July | $860,000 | 877 | 7 |
| August | $845,000 | 898 | 14 |
| September | $819,950 | 814 | 17 |
| October | $850,000 | 689 | 13 |
| November | $816,250 | 590 | 22 |
| December | $775,000 | 515 | 31 |
Tips for Selling in a Seller’s Market
A seller’s market typically has less number of properties available for sale than the number of buyers. In this type of market, sellers can create a bidding war for their homes.
- Plan to Move Out Fast: In a seller’s market, homebuyers will be open to make cash offers fast. This means you should be moving out in a few weeks after closing the deal.
- Have a Plan If the Appraisal Fails: In mortgage financing, the home appraisal value may come lower than your asking price. So you can lower your price to match the appraisal cost, reject the offer, or ask the buyer to pay the difference.
» Washington Home Appraisal: Find out how much does home appraisal costs in Washington.
Tips for Selling in a Buyer’s Market
Buyer’s market is typically when the number of houses for sale is more than homebuyers. This gives homebuyers an opportunity to demand lower prices of houses or ask for discounts on other costs.
- Offer Seller Concessions: You can offer seller concessions in several ways. You can cover a part of the buyer’s closing costs, mortgage closing costs, or accommodate repairs.
- Pay for Repair Costs: In a market with fewer buyers, you need to keep your house in good condition to attract a better deal. You should be prepared to pay for the repair costs in case the home inspection fails.
» Washington Home Inspection: Know what home inspectors look for in an inspection.
- 💡 Can I Sell My House to iBuyers in 2023?
iBuyers are not a good option in 2023 as most of them are facing devsatating losses. Based on our research, Opendoor, one of the top iBuyers will go bankrupt by 2024! Also Offerpad seems to be a follower of Opendoor. Therefore, iBuyers are offering a much lower price than the fair market value of your home. To get a top dollar rate, consider listing your property on the MLS.
When Should You Sell Your Seattle House?
At times selling a house is a personal thing. 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. A situation like this can force you to sell your house in a slow market.
- Favorable 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 think of selling it as a practical option.
When Market Conditions Are in Your Favor
Favorable market conditions can get a top-dollar rate. Some factors that affect the real estate market are:
- Economy: Economic indicators like manufacturing activity, GDP, employment data, 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: Implementing tax credits, subsidies, and deductions are some of the ways the government can temporarily impact the housing market.
When You Are Financially Prepared
Here are a few factors to know if you are financially ready:
- Low Affordability: The average mortgage rate of 7.32% affects the affordability of buyers. Since 2022, the central bank hiked the interest rates 11th time by a quarter point. The interest rates are anticipated to increase even further.
- Downgrade Your Expenses: If you are looking to save on your property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees. You can sell your 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 your house as is in Seattle.
» Cost to Sell a House: Get an estimate of the costs involved in selling your home.
Should I Sell My House Now or Wait Until 2024?
The housing market has apparently cooled off. Yet, home prices in some metro cities continue to rise. It makes sense to list your property in such favorable conditions.
Reasons to Sell Your Home in 2023
- Low Inventory: New home construction sector is struggling. Therefore, existing home sales have increased. This makes 2023 an excellent time to sell your home before a recession hits.
- High Prices: Home prices in some cities like Blaine-Birch Bay, Woodinville, and Inglewood Finn-Hill are increasing by more than 20%. So, if you have a home in these markets, now may be a good time to rent or sell your house.
- Rising Cash Offers: Cash home sales increased in recent years and remain a popular investment option. Cash buyers are eager to purchase and flip houses.
Reasons to Wait Till 2024
You should consider waiting till 2024 if you-
- Recently Purchased a Home: It doesn’t make sense to sell a new house right away. Acquire home equity instead.
- Have a Distressed Home: If you have a distressed property, you can invest in repairs and demand a higher asking price later. Unless you want to sell it as-is.
- Are Trapped in a Mortgage Rate Lock: If you are among the 62% of homeowners that bagged a mortgage rate below 4%, it’s probably wise to stay put. You will need to acclimatize to the new trend of 6% to 7% interest rates.
If you’re confused, you can consult an experienced real estate agent. Agents know the nitty-gritty of the housing market and can help you find the best time to sell your house for maximum profit.
Check out our exclusive video that explains everything you need to know about selling your house.
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is the best FSBO site in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is now a good time to sell a house in Seattle, WA?
Yes, it is a good time to sell a house. With mortgage rates rising almost every quarter, fewer buyers might be interested in purchasing homes by the end of 2023. As a result, you may attract very few offers for your home. So, if you are ready, now is the best time to sell a home in Seattle.
What is the best month to sell a house in Seattle?
May is the best month to sell a house in Seattle to make thousands of dollars more. Whereas, December is the slowest month of the year for selling.
When is the best day to list a house in Seattle?
Thursday is the best day to list your house on the MLS. Based on 2022 data, houses listed on Thursday are likely to sell faster and also net more than the asking price.
How long does it take to sell a house in Seattle?
The average time to sell a house in Seattle is about 77 days. However, factors like house location, market conditions, etc. affect the speed of the home sale.
When is the worst month to sell a house in Seattle?
January is the worst month in terms of price to sell your house in Seattle. While, in December houses stayed unsold for longer on the market.
