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Rising Home Sales Prompt Strategic Listing Times for Sellers
Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans have remained steady in the upper 6% range since late January. Despite this, a recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that an increase in home inventory is attracting buyers back into the market. Specifically, sales of previously owned homes have shown a notable rise of 4.2% from January to February, amounting to 4.26 million units sold.
With this renewed interest from potential buyers, the question arises: when is the optimal time for sellers to list their properties? The answer is clear, and it’s approaching quickly.
A new study by Realtor.com suggests that sellers might realize a financial advantage of up to $27,000 more for their homes if they list during the week of April 13 to 19.
This analysis, which reviewed seasonal patterns from 2018 to 2024 and omitted 2020 due to the pandemic’s impact on housing trends, assessed metrics such as listing prices and buyer engagement (measured by views per property on the Realtor.com platform). The findings point to the period from April 13 to 19 as a time when market conditions align favorably for sellers.
Joel Berner, a senior economist at Realtor.com, emphasized the strategic advantage of listing during this timeframe in remarks to CNBC: “This is the right time of year to list and to get ahead.”
Furthermore, the data reveals that home prices during this week tend to be 1.1% higher than the annual average and 6.7% above January’s figures. If historical trends persist, the national median price for listings during this week could potentially be $27,000 greater compared to those listed in January, and about $4,800 above the typical weekly average.
This period also marks an increase in buyer activity, with listings receiving 17.7% more views compared to the yearly average, and homes selling approximately nine days quicker than usual.
In a contrasting view, a report from Zillow released earlier this month analyzed data from 1.6 million home sales in 2024 and identified the optimal time for sellers as the last two weeks of May, with homes selling for 1.6% more than the average, translating to an extra $5,600.
Zillow identified that the ideal selling period can vary by locality. For instance, homes in New York see the greatest financial gains if listed in the first half of May — potentially earning sellers an additional $9,600, while in San Francisco, late April listings could yield an impressive $38,600 increase.
Industry experts commonly agree that spring is the peak season for real estate activity, driven by buyers eager to relocate before the upcoming school year and sellers benefiting from the aesthetic appeal of homes highlighted by blooming flowers and lush greenery. Amanda Pendleton, a home trends expert at Zillow, stated in an interview with CNBC, “It’s sort of an ideal time for both buyers and for sellers.”
Additionally, recent trends indicate an upward trajectory in home prices. The median sale price of a home in the U.S. rose to $398,400 in February, marking a 3.8% increase from the previous year. The NAR has reported a significant year-over-year rise in inventory as well, which surged by 17%, totaling 1.24 million units available in February.
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