When is the Best Time to Sell Your House in 2025?
The best time to sell your house depends on market trends, seasonal demand, and local conditions. Some months attract more buyers, leading to faster sales and higher offers. Other times of the year may slow down the process, requiring more effort to close a deal. Choosing the right season, month, or even day can help you maximize your sale price and reduce the time your home stays on the market. Below is a breakdown of when to list your house for the best results.
7 Tips for Determining the Best Time to Sell a Home
When you search online, many reputable websites claim, “The best time to sell a house is in…” Some say March, while others point to June. So, which one is right? Timing your home sale can be frustrating because market trends change each year. The best time to sell varies based on location, with different states, cities, and neighborhoods following their own patterns. Instead of relying on nationwide averages, consider the following tips to determine the ideal time to sell your home.
1. Consider the Month
According to Zillow, the best month to sell a home in 2025 is June. However, other sources say April, May, June, etc. This can be confusing and downright frustrating for many sellers looking for a straight answer. However, all of these months tend to have high seller premiums and are considered a good time to put your house on the market. Previous data shows that the entire home selling process may be fastest in March, but premiums are at their highest in July. Therefore, the best month to sell your home can vary across individuals. Things that are happening in the world can also affect the data—such as the onset of the COVID pandemic in March 2020.
If you’re looking for a direct answer, the best time to sell a home has historically been the month of May. However, June and July are also considered peak times. Ask your real estate agent for input regarding what’s considered the current “best month” to sell a house in your neighborhood.
2. Choose Your Listing Day
The day you list your home plays a key role in how quickly it sells and at what price. Research consistently shows that homes listed on a Thursday tend to sell faster and for higher prices than those listed on other days. This is because many buyers typically start searching for homes and scheduling showings as the weekend approaches. By listing on a Thursday, you increase the chances of attracting immediate interest and receiving competitive offers. If you want to optimize your sale, experts suggest choosing a strategic date—specifically, the Thursday before Labor Day, when buyer activity is typically high.
On the flip side, Sunday is one of the worst days to list a home. Homes listed on Sundays tend to take longer to sell and may not generate as much interest in the critical first few days on the market. While the impact of listing days may seem minor, small adjustments like these can make a meaningful difference in your selling experience. To ensure you list at the best possible time, consult a knowledgeable real estate agent who understands market trends in your area.
3. Think About Location
Local market conditions are one of the most important factors in determining the best time to sell a house. Every local housing market follows its own housing trends, influenced by factors such as demand, economic conditions, and seasonal shifts. Selling a home in New York City, for example, is vastly different from selling in a smaller market like Arkansas or a high-demand vacation area like Florida. Timing that works well in one location may not be ideal in another, making it essential to look at local data rather than relying solely on national averages.
While general market reports can offer some insight, they may not reflect the unique trends affecting your area. Factors such as job growth, interest rates, and even local events can impact buyer behavior. The best way to stay informed and make data-driven decisions is to work with a knowledgeable real estate agent. Experienced agents track historical trends and current conditions, helping you choose the right moment to list your home for maximum exposure and profit. They can also provide personalized advice on pricing, marketing strategies, and negotiation tactics, ensuring a smoother and more successful sale.
4. Analyze Seasonality of the Market
Another tip for choosing an optimal time to sell a house is to analyze the seasonality of your local housing market. This can be achieved by looking at historical data on sales based on the time of year they were listed. Generally speaking, spring takes the number one spot as the best season for selling. As the weather warms up and people become more active, house hunting tends to pick up, bringing more interested buyers into the market. Summer is also a strong season, as families have more flexibility to move, and longer daylight hours allow working professionals to tour open houses after work. Fall may still offer opportunities, but once the school year starts, the market can slow down. Winter months are usually the least favorable time to sell, as fewer buyers are actively house hunting during the holiday season and colder months.
5. Pay Attention to Mortgage Rates
Over the last few years, mortgage rates have hit historic lows, making homeownership more affordable and bringing more first-time home buyers into the market. With more buyers on the market, sellers have benefited from increased demand, faster sales, and competitive offers.
While some buyers continue to purchase homes when mortgage rates are higher, lower rates tend to drive more activity, expanding the pool of qualified buyers. This increased competition can lead to quicker sales and higher final prices, creating a seller’s market where demand outweighs supply, giving sellers the advantage in negotiations. However, if rates rise significantly, fewer buyers may qualify for loans, shifting conditions toward a buyer’s market where buyers have more negotiating power. If you’re planning to sell, keeping an eye on mortgage rates can help you choose the right time to attract more buyers on the market and maximize your profits.
6. Determine Your Needs
Some homeowners don’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect month to sell, and that’s okay. It’s important to be realistic about your situation. If you need to move due to a job relocation, a growing family, or downsizing, waiting for peak market conditions may not be an option. In busier seasons, more listings can mean increased competition, making it important to price and market your home effectively.
In these cases, focusing on curb appeal can help attract buyers shopping for homes and make your property more competitive, even if market conditions aren’t ideal. A well-maintained exterior, fresh landscaping, and a clean entrance can create a strong first impression, increasing interest and potentially boosting the median sale price.
You should also consider the financial aspects of selling, including closing costs, which can impact your final profit. These costs typically include agent commissions, title fees, and taxes, which vary based on location and market conditions. If you’re unsure about timing, consult a real estate agent to assess how your home’s condition and curb appeal compare to others in your area and how they might influence your median sale price and closing costs.
7. Work with a Real Estate Agent
The best way to determine optimal timing for selling your home is to work with a seasoned real estate professional. There are so many variables that change based on location and current events that choosing an arbitrary date from a quick Google search may not result in the sale you’d hoped. Find an experienced, local realtor to help you with the home selling process.
When to Avoid Putting Your House on the Market
Although every sale is different, there are a few times of the year that result in lower premiums and profit. This tends to occur around fall and winter. Seller premiums usually begin to drop around September and remain low until around March and April when things start to pick up again. These lower rates tend to correlate with the return to school and the holidays. The weather also plays a big role in this. Similarly, as the days get shorter, more people tend to stay home. However, keep in mind that your location has a lot to do with this. Homeowners that live in Florida or other areas with year-round nice weather may experience different results.
If you need to sell during the winter or fall, try to choose any month aside from December. People are busy with the holidays and focused on preparing for the upcoming year. Nationwide, December is the worst month of the year to sell a home and the seller premium is at a year-time low. This could decrease your net earnings by thousands of dollars. Again, real estate can fluctuate between different areas of the country, so timing is an important factor to discuss with your real estate agent.
When you start thinking about putting your house on the market, connect with a local realtor to discuss the timing. This gives you the opportunity to go over your needs and goals of selling your home. Your realtor will also be able to give you key insight regarding the best time to sell a home in your local area. For optimal real estate timing, work with a realtor you can trust like the ones at First Star Realty. First Star Realty is committed to providing five-star realtor services to Northwest Arkansas. Our clients always come first, which is why we’ll be with you throughout the entire buying or selling process. If you’re ready to buy or sell a home, our team of highly seasoned real estate professionals are standing by to simplify and expedite the process. Call us at 479-267-1600 or fill out a contact form today.
