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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images October 20, 2022 Jeff Ostrowski covers mortgages and the housing market. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, he wrote about real estate and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
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Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions an individual will ever make. Our real estate reporters and editors focus on educating consumers about this life-changing transaction and how to navigate the complex and ever-changing housing market. From finding an agent to closing and beyond, our goal is to help you feel confident that you're making the best, and smartest, real estate deal possible. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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Late spring — specifically, the month of May — is the best time to sell a house, netting a 12.6 percent seller premium (amount above home market value), based on ATTOM’s analysis of and over the past 10 years. Best and worst times of year to sell by month
To determine the premium or discount sellers realized on a given day, ATTOM Data Solutions compared the median sales price for homes with a purchase closing on that day with the median automated valuation model (AVM) for those same properties at the time of sale. Here’s how each month of the year ranked for the best time to sell a house. Month Median Sales Price Median AVM Seller Premium Source: ATTOM Data Solutions May $208,273 $185,000 12.6% June $217,703 $196,702 10.7% July $219,900 $200,000 10% April $202,000 $185,000 9.2% March $197,500 $181,283 8.9% September $215,000 $199,214 7.9% February $188,500 $174,666 7.9% August $215,700 $200,000 7.9% December $213,564 $201,000 6.3% January $187,000 $176,040 6.2% November $213,300 $201,000 6.1% October $210,375 $200,000 5.2% The highest-earning four months (April, May, June and July) saw nearly 17 million purchase transactions taking place during this period, according to ATTOM. June barely beats July for second place, with a 10.7 percent seller premium, up slightly from July’s 10 percent. March and April usher in homebuying season with returns of 8.9 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively. By September, seller premiums start tapering off, falling to 7.9 percent. “In general, the best time to sell a house is the summer. Conversely, that’s usually the worst time to buy, due to high prices and more demand,” says Donovan Reynolds, a real estate agent with EXP Realty in Atlanta. Seasonality is important
While all regions experience seasonality, it is more or less pronounced depending on where you are in the country. For example, in the South and West — where temperatures are largely more moderate — there’s less discrepancy between the peak and slow seasons, according to the National Association of Realtors. However, there’s more disparity between summer and winter in the Midwest and Northeast. These seasonal patterns can help give sellers an indication of what to expect throughout the year. Spring and summer are the best seasons to sell
Typically, sellers list their homes in the spring and summer because the weather is good, especially for people in colder climates. In addition, families want to buy their next home before school starts, says Realtor Liede DeValdivielso, one half of The DeValdivielso Team with the Keyes Company in Coral Gables, Florida. Daylight savings time might also play a part in why the warmer months stimulate buying activity. “One of the reasons buyers are more eager to view properties during spring and summer may be due to the longer days,” says Marilyn Blume, a real estate agent with Sotheby’s International Realty in New York City. “By getting more exposure for your listing through more traffic, you increase the chances to receive more offers.” Homebuyers on a deadline — for example, those who want to before the school year begins — should make sure they’re in top shape, financially speaking. That means they’ve checked their credit and to ensure they’re in a strong position to get a . Otherwise, their efforts might be delayed. “April is plenty of time to get a house before school starts, as long as your financing is in order,” DeValdivielso says. “The best thing to do is shop around for a loan before you start looking for a house. This will give you a good idea of what you can qualify for.” Fall and winter are the worst seasons to sell
The decline in seller premiums typically begins in September, when the average premium drops to 7.9 percent — slightly more than half that of the peak in May. By then, many buyers with school-aged kids have likely found a home, so the sharp drop is no surprise. Combine the new school year with the start of the busy holiday season, and homebuying goes on the back burner during the latter part of the year. Just like in the warmer months, the weather plays a factor in the winter months, too. As the days get dark earlier and temperatures drop, people tend to stay close to home. This means less foot traffic for sellers. October is the worst month to sell
The worst month of the year to sell a house is October, with a 5.2 percent seller premium, according to ATTOM. And those premiums stay pretty low in ensuing months. Homebuying activity typically comes to a near-standstill in December, when people tend to travel and are busy with holiday celebrations. Of course, r, the opposite holds true: The cooler months can actually to house-hunt. There’s less competition from other buyers, and antsy sellers might be more willing to negotiate on price or other . More tips for sellers
Here are some more suggestions for sellers hoping to maximize their selling success: Because real estate is local, speak with an in your market who understands local sales trends. Real estate agents can give you neighborhood-specific sales information so you can make a strategic decision about when to list your home. Keep in mind. Sellers should consider making key repairs and updates to their homes to maximize their return, but this can be a lengthy process. Even simple decluttering can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly and finish these projects before listing your home on the market. When figuring out the best time to sell a house in your market, don’t forget that a difference of a few months can translate into thousands of dollars in either profit or loss. Work closely with your real estate agent so you can time it right and get your purchase price — or even more. SHARE: Jeff Ostrowski covers mortgages and the housing market. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, he wrote about real estate and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Related Articles