Is now a good time to sell a house?
Having a successful house sale is as much about timing as finding the right buyer. Trying to sell at the wrong time could cost you a lot of money or even leave you unable to find a buyer.
We can't tell you whether you should sell your house today or six months from now, but we can give you tips on the easiest times to sell vs. the hardest.
Best market conditions to sell a house
You want to buy when people are buying and are willing to pay more for your house. So, what does a hot market look like?
Typically, it's when the demand for houses is high, and there are not enough homes available to meet the demand. Those conditions organically lead to sellers getting the best prices for their houses.
Another variable to consider is the interest rates on home loans. When interest rates are high, it will cost buyers more money to take out a mortgage. Conversely, when the rates are low, the cost of a loan is less expensive, and buyers can afford to pay higher prices for homes.
Buyers are more comfortable borrowing thousands of dollars when the rates are low. It makes their purchase less risky and more profitable.
Best seasons to sell a house
You know what conditions are good for selling, but you're not an economist or a real estate agent. So, what's a good rule of thumb for a regular person to know if now is a good time to sell a house?
One common trend in real estate is that demand can ebb and flow with the seasons.
In the spring and summer, houses often sell faster and for higher prices.
The length of time houses remain on the market tends to increase as summer ends and the seasons transition from fall into winter.
These trends tend to follow the school year in high-demand school districts as families want to move in the summer when it’s less disruptive to their kids’ school schedules.
The prices homeowners are willing to accept if they want to sell quickly also begin to drop.
Real estate experts have said that after 2020, houses were uncharacteristically selling for high prices during the fall and winter months, due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its effects may linger for a while, but eventually, the market will likely shift more firmly back into familiar patterns.
Consult the experts.
The best way to know if now is a good time to sell your house is to listen to experts. Real estate agents, forecasters, market analysts, and investors all study the market daily to interpret the data.
You don't even have to call anyone. There are a wealth of blogs, news articles, videos, and other online resources you can consult to see what the most knowledgeable real estate people around think is happening in real-time.
Our advice is to do your research and not just for a day. Spend time learning as much as possible and talk to a knowledgeable person you trust about your next move. Then, make a plan.
You know when you need to sell.
Remember, past trends are helpful, and experts' interpretations of the market are valuable, but at the end of the day, no one knows better than you if now is a good time to sell your house.
If you've studied the data, talked to the experts, considered your situation, and feel you should sell or wait, do what you think is best.
Even if the market is slow, your financial situation or personal life might trump what the data says about when to sell.
And vice versa, even when the market is hot, you might not be in the position to sell yet.
You should make the decision that works best for you.
It’s always a good time to sell a house to HomeVestors®.
Whenever you're ready to sell your house, give us a call.
Our national network of independently owned and operated home-buying franchises makes selling a house easy and hassle-free at any time of year.
When you're ready to talk to a friendly, cash home buyer living and working near you, call 866-200-6475. There’s no easier or faster way to sell your house.
Learn more about selling your house to HomeVestors in Atlanta, Georgia.