Worst Month to Sell a House

Seasonal Trends in the Real Estate Market

Your selling process may look different depending on the time of year you choose to list your home. The timing may affect the number of potential buyers you attract, the price, and the time your house spends on the market. 

Peak Selling Season

Real estate market activity is the highest in the spring and early summer months, with some variations on your geography.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the South and West are more temperate, so the difference is less pronounced, while the Midwest and Northeast experience more pronounced seasonality. [1]

The drivers of buyer behavior are similar regardless of location, and they include:

• Favorable weather: Pleasant, warm weather makes it easier to stage and show homes, with flowers and overall good landscaping adding to their curb appeal.
• School schedules: Families with children are looking to buy before the new school year begins. This timing allows children to complete their current school year while having summer to adjust to their new home. 
• Buyer activity: Seasonality influences the entire real estate market, typically resulting in more listings and active buyers during peak seasons.

The Impact of Seasonality on Home Sales

Seasonality affects the number of buyers, the time a home sits on the market, and median home prices. 

Number of Buyers

During peak selling season, more buyers are actively hunting for a house. This increased activity means sellers receive more offers and opportunities to negotiate favorable terms. Higher buyer competition not only increases the likelihood of selling a home but may also lead to bidding wars and, ultimately, higher sale prices.

Selling Prices

The increased demand (especially in late spring) means sellers are more likely to sell above their asking price. Data shows that the median sales price is the highest in May, with seller premiums 13.1% above market value. [2]

Based on thirteen years of data from ATTOM, the following most successful months were:

• February, with premiums 12.8% above market value
• April, with 12.5%
• June, with 12.4%
• March, with 12.2%

Days on Market

According to the NAR, houses sell faster during peak season, spending an average of 31 days on the market in June and 32 days in May [1]. Since more people are house hunting during this time and the competition is fiercer, you are more likely to close a sale quickly. 

Identifying the “Worst” Months

It’s not just winter months that see fewer buyers — buyer demand starts dropping in the second half of the year as kids start school, the weather changes, and people start focusing on holidays and other obligations. Here are some factors to consider if you plan to sell a house during the second part of the year. 

The Slowest Months for Home Sales

Real estate sales usually slow down during late fall and winter, specifically in November, December, and January, meaning fewer buyers, lower prices, and more days on the market. [2]

Here’s how the slowest months compare based on the days the average house spends on the market:

• January (52 days)
• February (49 days)
• December (45 days)
• March (42 days)
• November (41 days)

Here are the worst months to sell a house based on average premiums: 

• October (8.8%)
• September (9.5%)
• November (9.5%) 

According to the same NAR report, the number of existing house sales was lowest in January and February, while the number of new house sales was lowest in November, December, and January.

Factors Contributing to Slow Sales

Several factors, including the holiday season, school schedules, and bad weather, cause a sharp drop in sales in slow months. 

Holidays and Family Focus

Both buyers and sellers focus on their family commitments and other obligations. Buyers may be traveling, hosting, or celebrating, so they usually leave the house hunt for spring.

Staging the home and relocating are also inconvenient for sellers during this time. Similar slowdowns occur in July and August when people take summer vacations.

Weather Conditions

Buyers tend to avoid cold weather, making winter the least favorable time to sell. Similarly, while mild weather motivates people to view open houses, intense heat can have the opposite effect.

Dark, chilly months with less vegetation may also poorly affect your home’s appearance. 

School Schedules

Families with children may be reluctant to move during the school year. However, it’s usually much easier to go house hunting while the kids are in school. Late spring is the best time for families to look for new homes, as the kids stay in the same class until the end of the semester but have a few months to adjust to a new neighborhood during the summer.

Is There Truly a “Worst” Month?

While winter is often considered the worst time to sell a house, the situation is not always so straightforward. Here are some other factors to consider when determining the best time to sell your house.  

Market Variations and Exceptions

When choosing to sell a house, consider the housing market trends in your area. Market conditions vary by location and year, affecting home prices and your opportunity to negotiate with buyers. If you live in a warmer climate, colder months may not affect the market as strongly as in more temperate areas. 

Consider the current housing market. In a buyer’s market, there are more sellers than buyers, giving purchasers more negotiating power. This imbalance often leads to longer listing times and lower sale prices.

A seller’s market is more favorable for sellers, as inventory is limited, prices are higher, and there are more buyers for each listing. In a housing market like this, even winter can be a good time to sell a house.

Motivated Sellers and Buyers

Motivated buyers and sellers are active year-round, often driven by personal circumstances like job relocations, family changes, or financial needs. Typically, people who want to buy in winter have more motivation and are more interested in closing the sale.

Sellers who list in wintertime can still attract buyers, especially in areas with high job growth and other attractive features.

Advantages of Selling During the Off-Season

If you want to sell a house during slower months, you should know there are some advantages to the timing. These include:

• Less competition: Fewer homes on the market mean your listing stands out more. 
• More focused buyers: Winter buyers are often highly motivated, driven by needs like relocations or life changes. They are less likely to browse casually and more likely to purchase the home quickly.
• Potential for negotiation: With fewer listings on the market and motivated buyers, sellers may be able to negotiate better terms. 

Tips for Selling During Slower Months

Home sellers can take advantage of each home selling season, even during slow months. Here are some main tips from real estate professionals. 

Pricing Strategically

If you want to attract buyers in a less active market, start by researching recent sales of similar homes in your area. Look for the median sale price of homes sold in the last few months, and set your price slightly below market value. 

This strategy attracts buyer interest and may lead to competitive offers. In any case, avoid overpricing your home, as it may cause it to spend more days on the market, which could send the wrong signal to serious buyers. 

If in doubt, contact a real estate agent or professional appraiser for help. However, keep in mind that agent fees may be as high as 6 to 10% of the sales price.

Enhancing Curb Appeal

With bare trees and dormant plants, your backyard and garden may not look as appealing in colder months. This seasonal appearance can be an issue for many buyers who may have a hard time imagining the house at its brightest. 

To counter this, do everything you can to boost curb appeal. Ensure your pathways are clean, add seasonal decorations, and add flattering outdoor lighting to make that decisive first impression.

Staging and Presentation

Impress potential buyers by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere indoors. During bad weather months, use cozy elements, such as throw blankets and pillows and fresh-cut flowers, to create contrast. Also, remember the lighting, which should be warm, soft, and soothing.

According to the NAR, staging can have a positive impact on sale price, with 20% of agents reporting a 1% to 5% increase in offers compared to similar unstaged properties. Additionally, 27% of agents noted a slight reduction in the time homes spent on the market when staged​. [3] 

Effective Marketing

Even in warmer months, simply listing a property isn’t enough. If you want to sell a house, you need to have a strong marketing strategy, which may include:

• Online listings on popular real estate websites 
• Professional photography
• Virtual tours
• Social media marketing

You can also offer incentives, such as home warranties, covering closing costs, and arranging a flexible closing date. Real estate agents can significantly help sellers market their homes, especially if they’re familiar with the local market. 

Fast Cash Solutions for Any Season

If you need to sell a house quickly and you don’t have time to wait for market conditions to be just right, consider A-List Properties as your buyer. We purchase homes for cash in their current state. Unlike most buyers, with us, you don’t have to:

• Stage, repair, or clean anything
• Wait for financing
• Hire a real estate agent
• Calculate fees — you get the exact, agreed-upon amount
• Suffer pressure, as there is no obligation

If you’re interested in selling your house fast, you can trust A-List Properties to arrange a fast, transparent, and honest cash transaction.

As a veteran-owned family business, our goal is to help our community. To discuss the potential cash price of your home, call (972) 526-7042 or complete our contact form for a free quote. 

References: [1] The National Asociation of Realtors, [2] ATTOM Data, [3] The National Asociation of Realtors