When is the Best Time to Sell Your Home?

Though each season has its own advantages in listing and selling a home, for many reasons, sellers often feel the best time to list their home for sale is in the spring or early summer.

Because of this fact, buyers tend to look to this period of time as the moment to “get down to business” because they have more options- with more homes on the market- and improved weather in which to go house shopping. Those with families also would prefer to be done with the home buying process and moved into their new home before kids head back to school in the fall.

Basically, spring is a time of new growth and new opportunities when you list. Listing in winter may give you the advantage of really serious buyers who venture out in snow and the cold temperatures to see your home, but spring gives you quantity; a multitude of potential buyers seeking to close before fall. Many homes simply show better during the months of spring and summer, with grass and flower garden’s brightening the yard and increasing curb appeal. Lets face it, sometimes with a foot of snow on the ground and icy walkways, it is harder for a seller to show off their yard’s true beauty and the added living space their house offers with patios and decks, when buyers only see snow.

Placing your home on the market can seem like a daunting task of cleaning and prep work, but start with selecting a qualified experienced Realtor to not only represent you in marketing and selling the house, but advising you on what needs to be done before potential buyers come to your door. It may not be as big of a to-do list as you think and with a little effort you can take advantage of this prime season filled with potential buyers.

What might your Realtor suggest?

If you have a lot of clutter, jam-packed closet space or collections you might be advised to pack stuff away that you can do without or won’t need until fall and place the items in storage. Some basic yard cleanup of winter debris, clean up of decks and any touch ups of chipping paint will probably be placed on the list. The outside curb appeal of your home is very important and with many homes on the market in the spring, you want buyers driving by your house to be attracted to the property and want to see more. Obviously, any repairs you have been putting off like leaky faucets will need to be addressed before buyers come inside and a good spring cleaning may wrap up your agent’s advice on prepping your home to sell.

You will find that this is also the ideal time to groom your lawn and get it green, plant those colorful flowers and really make your front yard stand out in the neighborhood. It is also a good time to get rid of items you no longer need through a yard sale or by donating them to charity. It will save you packing and sorting time in the long-run and you might make some cash to help with moving expenses.

Spring and summer also have longer daylight hours to show you home, and buyers like to see the property in the light of day. This means more chances each day for you to get an offer.

If you are seriously thinking of selling your home there is no time like the present. Choose a Realtor you can trust and get ready to roll up your sleeves if necessary. You may be in your new home by the time the first leaf falls.