Pros and Cons of Selling a House During Each Season

It’s tricky to decide which time of year is best to list a house

Updated: 9/17/19

While the spring and the summer are peak seasons for both buyers and sellers, there are benefits to listing a home in the off-season instead. Fortunately for sellers and agents alike, there are always eager buyers available in every season. It’s all about understanding your community while making the biggest impact with smart marketing strategies and consistent branding.

Below is a list of pros and cons for each season

Winter

Frigid temperatures hit cities across the country and gloomy days turn to night quickly, but that shouldn’t deter sellers from listing their homes. There are specific, serious buyers seeking their perfect winter home to cozy up in and with less competition, your house will be a promising option.

Pros

• Fewer homes are on the market in the winter, making competition less challenging
• Companies look to hire new employees in January and February, making relocations popular in the Winter
• House hunters – dressed in heavy duty boots, mittens, and thermals – are serious buyers

Cons

• The days are shorter and colder
• Families are budgeting and often waiting to utilize their tax return
• Holidays take priority

Spring

Ah, springtime. The flowers are blossoming and allergies are in full swing. This is arguably the best season to put your house on the market. More buyers are searching for their new home, which means inventory is also peaking. It is important to have your listing stand out this month.

Pros

• More buyers start to flood the market, increasing your chances of getting top dollar
• Plants begin to blossom, enhancing curb appeal and allowing important features to stand out (i.e. decks, pools, large windows)
• Homes sell quicker and for a profit – Tip: Stand out online with professional photography

Cons

• Greater competition as inventory begins to increase
• Buyers become pickier with more options available

Summer

Much like springtime, summer is peak season for buyers and sellers. In the summer, expect more showings as the days become longer. On the other hand, plan for higher expenses to maintain the home during peak show times.

Pros

• Longer days allow more showings
• Families are looking to close on a home before the school year begins
• Better valuations from an appraiser during the on-season

Cons

• Higher expenses for showings during the dog days
• Families are either preparing for or on vacation
• If your house doesn’t stand out, it’ll get buried by the competition

Fall

Fall can be a difficult time to sell, but if done right, can really pay off. As the leaves start to change and eventually fall, serious buyers are eager to find their perfect home.

Pros

• Less inventory after the peak season helps your home stand out
• Serious buyers are motivated and looking to move before the holidays
• Professional listing photos stand out – sunsets are more vivid, leaves change colors

Cons

• Fewer buyers makes it more difficult to turn a profit
• Kids start school and families are less likely to make a move
• Curb appeal diminishes quickly as trees lose their leaves

Clearly, there are upsides and downsides to selling a home during each season. Most importantly, have an in-depth understanding of your community, of the economy, and of the most recent statistics for each season.

Did you know that 95% of prospective buyers view the first exterior photo the longest when looking at a listing? Make yours stand out:

Sources:

• https://www.edinarealty.com/real-estate-advice/fall-home-seller-pros-cons/#/
• https://www.popsugar.com/home/Pros-Cons-Selling-Your-House-Summer-42046108https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-sell-a-home-in-the-summer-1799057
• http://www.improvementcenter.com/advice/is-there-a-best-season-to-buy-a-house.htmlhttp://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/january-the-most-popular-month-for-job-changes
• https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/job-search-recruitment-cycleshttps://www.fortunebuilders.com/the-pros-cons-of-listing-your-house-during-the-winter/
• https://patch.com/massachusetts/needham/pros-cons-listing-your-house-winter-vs-spring-0https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/is-spring-best-time-to-sell-a-house/