Home Buyer TipsHome Seller Tips November 14, 2023

When is the Best Time to Buy or Sell a Home?

Market peaks, holidays, school, oh my! Once you’ve decided that you want to sell or buy a home, the when can be tricky to tackle. Many factors contribute to optimal timing. Scroll down for the pros and cons of selling or buying in each season.

While each season has its perks and challenges, your personal circumstances will be the most important consideration. Relocation, marriage, divorce, or other life changes may mean that it makes the most sense for you to move now regardless of market factors. If you have kids in school, it may be best to wait until after the school year to make your move.

If your timing is flexible, on the other hand, you’ll also want to consider things like the condition of your property—homes that need work or have challenges with location/layout may require a hot market (or serious lack of competing inventory) in order to sell. You’ll also want to analyze the micro-market in your neighborhood, including how many other listings are currently for sale. Check out our article on timing the market for some great tips on that.

Seasonal cycles are definitely worth considering. For sellers looking to get the maximum number of eyes on your home, it’s important to avoid listing during holiday weeks or inclement weather events like snow. Buyers might find it more difficult to purchase a home at the peak of the market when homes are selling like hotcakes. Below is a chart showing typical market activity based on a five-year average of pending sales.

 

Market Activity Based on Pending Sale Averages Over the Past 5 Years

 

When our clients ask for our advice on when to sell or buy, we typically analyze all of these factors along with seasonal pricing trends. Below are some of the pros and cons we tend to see for buyers and sellers in each season…


SELLING

 


BUYING

 

Pssst…we know decisions like this can feel overwhelming. Reach out any time for expert advice. We’re always happy to discuss your options and help you choose the best timing for your unique property, circumstances, and micro-market…

Connect with an agent to request an expert market timing analysis.

 


 

Windermere Mercer Island

 

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© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.

Home Seller Tips February 28, 2020

The Right Timing Can Bring You Thousands More When You Sell

Ever notice how one home on your street sells well above asking price with a line of buyers out the door and an identical home comes on a month later and sits on the market for two weeks before finally selling at a reduced price?  Every. Day. Counts.

It’s not always about the house. It’s also about timing the market well. In a world where potential buyers know how long you’ve been on the market down to the minute, being on the market a nanosecond longer than expected can be painful for any seller, financially and otherwise. Statistically, at mainstream price points, prices seem to peak around Day 7 and begin to slide downhill after Day 10.

 

How to time the market in a nutshell.

Avoid coming to market during major holiday weeks. Potential buyers take vacation too—and the fewer buyers out there looking in those precious early days, the lower the likelihood you’ll sell in the first 10 days. Look to come on the market a few days after typical vacations are over to allow buyers to re-engage in the search process. Avoid coming to market when a similar house in your neighborhood has just listed and not yet sold.

The laws of supply and demand would dictate that when supply appears abundant, demand diminishes—and the days tick on by. Even if you are by far the better house and at a better price, you might still be hurt by the curiosity around why everyone is selling now.

Avoid coming to market during bad weather or local events. Like coming on market right smack in the middle of graduation week, listing when everyone’s attention is on something other than home shopping is likely to miss the mark big time. Even if you were all set to list on a particular date, it might be better to take a deep breath and wait until the storm passes.

Do come to market when you notice an absence of great listings for sale in your price range and neighborhood. Buyers will likely feel that void too and be chomping at the bit for the next great home to come along. The chances of a perfect match between a solid buyer and a reasonable seller are best in this zone.

This is especially true if your home has challenges (outdated design, deferred maintenance, busy street, steep slope, etc.) that would make it difficult to compete with other homes out there. On the flip side of that coin, if your home is exceptional, you want to be on the market during peak season when buyers can size up your home to the competition and appreciate how much better your home is. Buyers will pay handsomely for turnkey quality when they can clearly see the difference. Come on when there is nothing else to compare to and your beautiful amenities might not see their full value potential.

The best days to come to market are Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. This allows for showings and open houses on evenings and throughout the weekend. If you are doing an offer review date, the best day to review offers is Monday or Tuesday. This gives buyers ample time to see your home, conduct their due diligence, complete a home inspection and sewer scope, and get their financial documentation together—all before they prepare an offer.

Final thoughts.

Look at the holiday calendar and local school district calendars to guide you toward best weeks to come to market. Don’t forget to check in big political and sporting event dates too.

Decide whether your home will shine against the competition, or be the wallflower, and adjust your timing based on real-time competition.

Of course, an outstanding listing broker can help you choose the most favorable date to bring your home to market. They analyze the market consistently and know exactly what indicators to look for. Still have questions? Contact one of our knowledgeable brokers for assistance with determining the best market timing for your home.

 


Find a Home | Sell Your Home | Property Research | Neighborhoods | Market Reports | Our Team

We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.

© Copyright 2020 Windermere Mercer Island.