It’s one of those questions we keep getting, again and again. When is the best time to sell my home? Many sellers are looking for a concrete day, month, or season. They’re hoping that with the perfect timing, they can secure a high sale price and a smooth transaction. If only it were that simple!

What we can tell you is that there are seasonal trends that the market tends to follow. By considering them alongside the specifics of your sale, you can make a more informed decision.

In this post, we’ll look at each of the four seasons from a seller’s perspective…

The Fall

Let’s start with curb appeal. We’re big fans of autumn foliage, and most buyers are too! This is the time of year when many homes look their best. To take full advantage of the season, be sure to keep the leaves off your lawn—and opt for a few accents (like a fall wreath and some charming outdoor light fixtures).

If you’re thinking of selling early in the season, you’re in luck. September is one of the peak times to get a great price! Planning to buy at the same time? You may be happy to learn that the market isn’t at its most competitive, which is ideal if you don’t want to compete in a bidding war.

The Winter

Many sellers avoid putting their properties on the market in the winter, as there tend to be fewer buyers on the home hunt. But consider this. Those who are willing to trudge out into the snow tend to be serious about making a purchase.

Another thing to think about is your competition. You’ll have a lot less of it at this time of year than you would in the spring—so your home can really shine. As a bonus, January is a great time to take advantage of the number of people relocating for work. Whatever your reason for a winter sale, be sure to tackle any ice and snow on your property when you’re showing it!

The Spring

Ah, the spring market. Many sellers hold off until this time of year because they expect to reap bigger benefits. Often, that’s exactly what happens. Some of the highest sale prices can be found while the birds are chirping and the flowers are in bloom. There also tends to be plenty of buyer competition, which means you’re more likely to receive multiple offers.

The downside is that you’ll have to compete, too. With so many homes on the market, yours will be one of many (which is just one more reason to work with an agent who has marketing expertise). You’ll probably also have to navigate more showings and back-and-forth with potential buyers.

The Summer

The summer can be a great time to list, especially if you don’t want to deal with the hectic spring market. Sure, demand won’t be at its absolute peak. But when listings dip in August, it could mean more attention for your home. Not only that, but you may find that many families are eager to embark on the home hunt before school-year craziness sets in.

Yards also tend to show well in the summer—so if you have a nice lawn, it could be a great time to highlight it. The warm weather may also make prepping your outdoor space a more pleasant experience (and the extra hours of sunlight don’t hurt, either).

Other Factors

Of course, timing is far from the only factor that will impact your sale. Market conditions, interest rates, changes in demographics—it all plays a role in determining the specifics of your outcome

For example, we’re currently seeing limited inventory and prices that are way over asking. In other words: it’s a very strong sellers market (to the point that homes are selling for 23 per cent more in Ontario year-over-year). At a time like this, depending primarily on the season to decide when you should sell probably isn’t the right move.

So, when is the best time to sell your home?

By now, you probably know that the answer isn’t cut and dried. There is no magic date that can guarantee your ideal outcome. The right time to sell will depend on your goals, your lifestyle, and what you have on the horizon!

Our advice? It makes sense to consider seasonal trends in some cases, but don’t get too obsessed with timing. No matter the season, an experienced local agent can help you price, market, and sell your home—and achieve an outcome you’ll be more than happy with!

Interested in learning our approach to selling? Get in touch—we’re happy to answer any questions you may have!