One of the more complicated questions realtors ask when dealing with real estate sales is, “When is the best time to sell a house?” This question might mean the time of year you’re listing your home, the weekday the listing goes live, or the most desirable month. Listing your home at the appropriate time is essential because you don’t want it to linger on the market. The longer a home is on the market, the harder it becomes to sell. This is due to buyer suspicion. The consensus becomes that if a home isn’t selling, there is something wrong with it.

Many agents believe certain months are more beneficial than others, while some consider the day you list the home to be most important. Still, others feel more important things go into selling a home. The time of year you sell your Bay Area real estate can considerably impact the sale and whether you earn top dollar. There are several obvious things to consider, like personal expectations, market conditions, the home’s location, and interest rates. To help you decide the best time to sell your home, read on for the benefits of each particular point and what you should consider. 

The real estate market is typically slower at certain times of the year, so the best time to sell a home varies by location. National trends show that the best timing for most sales is spring and summer. More specifically, April, May, and June tend to do reasonably well because that’s when people are looking for housing, and activities pick up. 

Homes listed in May receive up to 10% above market value. Homes sold in June and July also earn higher premiums than those listed for the remainder of the year. This is typical because the weather is warmer, and families want to move before the new school year while schedules are more flexible. This is no different for the Bay Area, but there may be more flexibility in timing due to seasonality.

The peak time to sell a home is generally the same everywhere but can vary based on seasonality and those locations with more competitive markets. Areas that experience all four seasons tend to find spring the most optimal since people have been cooped up indoors, but places like the Bay Area that have mild weather year-round may differ slightly. 

In the Bay Area, the market is very competitive, mainly due to the excellent schools, which are a crucial factor. That said, in specific locations, the market tends to pick up in January and close around March, while others see higher sales by listing in March and closing in June. Regardless of whether you’re looking to sell for a higher price or simply close quickly, the spring and summer months will generate the best reward.

You can take things further by listing your home on a Wednesday or Thursday. Most realtors think that listing a home for sale during the week allows plenty of time to gain traction. This means the listing will have time to post and go live, allowing plenty of viewing opportunities the following weekend. Since most people have additional weekend time to look at homes, Wednesday or Thursday are the perfect days to go live with your listing.

While many things can affect how long it takes to sell your house and how much money you make, selling a home is a personal decision. How and why you decide to sell a home depends on your factors, so let’s look at what plays a role.

Selling a home isn’t always about financials. Maybe your youngest child just moved out, and you’re looking to downsize to something more manageable, or you want to be closer to your favorite shopping and restaurants. Regardless of the reason, your home should meet your needs, and if your current home doesn’t, it might be time to move.

If you’ve done everything possible to make your home suit your desires, and it still isn’t what you desire, it might be time to sell it. It might seem counterintuitive because you just completed renovations, but they are the best way to recoup a significant return on investment (ROI). Sometimes, the upgrades that aren’t perfect for you will be for the next buyer. If considerable upgrades are needed, like a new roof or plumbing, you might want to wait until that is complete before listing your home.

If you can no longer afford the costs of owning your home, consider selling it sooner rather than later. Even if your mortgage is fully paid off, you’ll still pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, and possibly HOA fees. If it’s just you and your spouse, it might be time to downsize your home and reduce your budget. A smaller house also has smaller utility bills, so selling is a great way to cut costs.

While the spring months are usually the peak time for selling your home, the local market conditions play a significant role. Ideally, a seller’s market is the best time to sell a home because the demand for housing exceeds the supply. This means there is low inventory and substantial interest, so your home will be more likely to sell faster and for top dollar. However, without the expertise of an experienced real estate agent, it can be challenging to know the market conditions. A trusted real estate agent can help you sell your home and give you the necessary insights.

If you want to sell your Bay Area home or have questions about the best time to put your home on the market, contact Scott Vaupen today. As a Bay Area native with over 30 years in the business, you can be confident you’re in excellent hands.