Timing the Market

Timing is less about putting your home on the market during the “best time of year to sell” and more about knowing the nuances around timing that may have a significant impact on your showing activity and sale price.

The two slower times of year tend to be late summer or early winter. However, with proper preparation, you will minimize any seasonal impact to your showing activity if you follow steps three through five. 1. The Spring Market starts in January. Yes, you read that correctly—it starts in January. The largest jump in showing activity all year happens just after the New Year. Activity will double in just a few days at that point. 2. The spring market usually peaks during the last few weeks of March or the first few weeks of April. We usually say, “if you wait to list until it is green, you will miss out on some green.” 3. Don’t list or make price changes right before a holiday. If a home lists and there is no one to see it did it really come on to the market? 4. Watch the weather. If it looks like there will be a big snow storm right before or the day you were planning on listing wait until the roads are clear. 5. Listing Wednesday through Friday will typically get you forty percent more showing activity in the first week than listing Saturday through Tuesday.

Make sure you have seasonally appropriate photos to prevent your listing from appearing old.