The Best Time to Sell Your House: What 47 Million Home Sales Reveal

The Best Month to Sell a House: What the Data Shows

Picking the right month to list your home is not guesswork. A decade of transaction data points to a clear winner. ATTOM Data Solutions analyzed more than 47 million single-family home and condo sales between 2015 and 2024 and found that May delivers the highest seller premium of any month at 9.5% above the automated valuation model (AVM). That translates to a median sale price of $261,615 against a median estimated value of $239,000.

February came in a close second at 9.4%, followed by April at 9.1% and June at 9.0%. At the other end of the spectrum, November posted the lowest premium at just 6.4%, and October came in at 6.6%. The gap between the best and worst months represents thousands of dollars in real sale proceeds on a typical home.

Zillow's separate analysis of 2024 sales data reinforced these findings. According to Zillow Research, homes listed during the last two weeks of May earned approximately 1.6% more than comparable listings at other times of the year, translating to roughly $5,600 in additional proceeds for the typical U.S. home. Search activity from buyers typically peaks just before Memorial Day as families start planning moves ahead of the school year.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) data further confirms the seasonal pattern. June has historically recorded the highest volume of closed transactions, with over 4.7 million home sales occurring in that month across the 2015 to 2024 period. However, because it takes 30 to 60 days to close after listing, homes that close in June were typically listed in April or May, aligning perfectly with the ATTOM premium data.

Seasonal Premium Reference Table: Month-by-Month Performance

The table below compiles data from ATTOM, NAR, and Redfin to show seller premiums, median days on market, and relative buyer activity for each month. Use it to compare the financial impact of listing in different seasons.

Month	Seller Premium (ATTOM)	Avg. Days on Market	Buyer Activity Level	Rating
January	7.8%	50-57	Low	Below Avg
February	9.4%	45-53	Moderate	Excellent
March	8.8%	38-42	Rising	Good
April	9.1%	34-38	High	Excellent
May	9.5%	33-35	Peak	Best
June	9.0%	33-35	Peak	Excellent
July	7.4%	35-38	Moderate-High	Good
August	7.3%	36-40	Moderate	Good
September	6.9%	38-42	Moderate	Average
October	6.6%	40-46	Declining	Below Avg
November	6.4%	42-48	Low	Worst
December	7.2%	45-52	Low	Below Avg

The Best Day of the Week to List Your Home

The month you list matters, but so does the day of the week. Zillow research found that homes listed on a Thursday tend to sell faster and for more money than listings that go live on any other day. The logic is straightforward: a Thursday listing gives buyers just enough time to spot it before the weekend, when the majority of home tours and open houses take place. Agents and buyers spend Friday planning their Saturday and Sunday showings, and a fresh listing that appeared Thursday evening or Friday morning sits at the top of search results and alert emails.

Homes listed on Sunday, by contrast, performed the worst. Saturday and Monday were only marginally better. The Thursday advantage was also reflected in the percentage of homes that sold above asking price: Thursday listings were slightly more likely to attract above-list offers, while weekend listings were less likely to do so.

Best Season to Sell a House: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?

Seasonal patterns drive much of the real estate market's rhythm. Understanding what happens in each season helps you plan not just when to list, but when to start preparing your home for sale.

Selling a House in Spring (March through May)

Spring consistently ranks as the best season to sell a house. Buyer demand surges as warmer weather returns, tax refunds arrive, and families begin planning moves before the next school year. Inventory rises in spring but is typically outpaced by demand, creating competitive conditions that favor sellers.

According to NAR data, the median existing-home price hit $403,700 in March 2025, and prices climb from there into summer. The median days on market during spring 2025 hovered around 36 days, nearly 20 days faster than winter months. The combination of higher prices, faster sales, and more motivated buyers makes spring the optimal season for most sellers.

Curb appeal is another spring advantage. Lawns green up, flowers bloom, and longer daylight hours make homes look their best during showings. Homes that have been professionally staged and photographed during spring months tend to generate more online engagement, which translates to more foot traffic and stronger offers.

Selling a House in Summer (June through August)

Summer extends the spring momentum but begins tapering off as the season progresses. June typically marks the peak for closed transactions, with ATTOM data showing over 4.7 million homes sold in June across the 2015 to 2024 decade. July and August remain active but premiums decline: July comes in at 7.4% and August at 7.3%, noticeably lower than the spring peak.

The summer slowdown is partly driven by vacation season. Families who planned to move before school have already committed, and those who have not tend to pause their search during vacation weeks. In regions with extreme heat, such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and parts of Texas, buyer activity drops when temperatures make house-hunting uncomfortable.

Selling a House in Fall (September through November)

Fall brings a smaller but more motivated pool of buyers. People searching for homes in September and October often have urgent reasons to buy, such as job relocations, family changes, or a desire to close before winter weather arrives. Sellers can benefit from this urgency, but they face trade-offs: declining daylight, falling leaves, and the approaching holiday season all work against marketing momentum.

Days on market increase during fall. Redfin data from 2024 showed median DOM rising to about 40 days in October, compared to 33 in peak months. Price reductions also become more common as sellers who listed in summer without success begin lowering their expectations. If you must sell in fall, pricing accurately from day one is critical to avoid the stigma of a stale listing.

Selling a House in Winter (December through February)

Winter is traditionally the slowest season for home sales, but it is not without opportunity. January 2026 saw median days on market climb to 46 days nationally, with the West region reaching similar levels. Inventory drops sharply because fewer sellers want to deal with holiday disruptions, bad weather, and the perception that buyers are not looking.

Interestingly, February's seller premium of 9.4% ranks second only to May in the ATTOM data. This apparent contradiction exists because the buyers who do purchase in winter tend to be serious, financially qualified, and less likely to negotiate aggressively. Fewer competing listings also mean less price pressure. For sellers in warm-weather markets, winter can actually be an advantage, which leads to the next critical consideration: regional timing.

When to Sell a House by Region: Why Location Changes Everything

National averages mask enormous regional variation. The best time to sell a house in Minneapolis is very different from the best time to sell in Miami. Zillow's metro-level analysis of 2024 sales data revealed significant differences in optimal listing windows across major markets.

Metro Area	Best Time to List	Seller Premium	Estimated Dollar Boost
Atlanta, GA	First half of June	1.2%	$4,700
Austin, TX	Second half of March	2.3%	$10,400
Baltimore, MD	Second half of June	2.0%	$7,900
Charlotte, NC	First half of May	1.5%	$5,700
Chicago, IL	Second half of May	3.0%	$10,000
Cincinnati, OH	Second half of May	2.3%	$6,900
Cleveland, OH	Second half of June	3.7%	$8,600
Columbus, OH	First half of May	3.4%	$11,100
Dallas, TX	First half of April	1.9%	$7,000

Source: Zillow Research, based on 2024 home sales data.

Best Time to Sell in Cold-Weather Markets (Northeast and Midwest)

In markets with harsh winters, seasonality is especially pronounced. Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, and similar climates see buyer activity compressed into a shorter window between mid-April and early July. Curb appeal is limited to a few months of the year, and moving during an icy winter is something most families actively avoid. If you are selling in a cold-weather market, preparing your home during winter months to list in late April or May gives you the strongest positioning.

Best Time to Sell in Warm-Weather Markets (South and West)

Florida, Arizona, Southern California, and other warm-climate markets operate on a different calendar. In South Florida, the prime selling window for condos and vacation properties runs from Thanksgiving through Easter, when snowbirds from the Northeast and Midwest flood the market. Single-family homes in Florida still see strong spring and summer activity from local buyers, but the winter influx of out-of-state buyers creates unique opportunities.

In markets like San Diego, seasonality has less impact because the mild climate allows comfortable house-hunting year-round. The premium differences between peak and off-peak months are narrower in these areas, making agent selection and pricing strategy relatively more important than calendar timing.

Why Pricing Strategy Matters More Than Timing

Here is the uncomfortable truth about market timing: even a perfectly timed listing will underperform if it is priced incorrectly. Overpriced homes attract fewer showings, sit on the market longer, and ultimately sell for less than homes priced accurately from the start. According to NAR data, the median days on market for all properties in March 2025 was 36 days, but overpriced listings routinely sat for 60 to 90 days before price reductions brought them in line with the market.

A home that sits on the market accumulates "days on market" stigma. Buyers and their agents interpret a high day count as a signal that something is wrong, whether the issue is the price, the condition, or something hidden. This perception leads to lowball offers that erode whatever premium the seller might have gained from listing in a favorable month.

Research from the National Association of Realtors consistently shows that homes sell closest to their list price when they are priced accurately on day one. The first two weeks of a listing generate the most buyer attention, and that window is irreplaceable. An experienced listing agent will use comparative market analysis, local absorption rate data, and current inventory levels to pinpoint the right price rather than relying on what a seller hopes to achieve.

This is where agent quality makes the biggest difference. A top-performing listing agent understands how to price a home to generate competitive interest without leaving money on the table. The difference between an average agent and a high-performing one often exceeds the seasonal premium itself. NAR data shows that agent-assisted sales achieve significantly higher prices than for-sale-by-owner transactions, with the typical FSBO home selling for $380,000 compared to $435,000 for agent-assisted sales.

Beyond the Calendar: Market Conditions That Affect Your Sale

Seasonality is one variable among many. Several broader market conditions can override or amplify seasonal trends, and understanding them helps you make a smarter decision about when to list.

Mortgage Interest Rates and Buyer Demand

Mortgage rates are the single most powerful force acting on buyer demand outside of seasonality. When rates dropped to the 6.19% range in October 2025, existing-home sales rose for three consecutive months, according to NAR. The relationship is direct: lower rates expand how much buyers can afford, which brings more buyers into the market and supports higher prices.

Conversely, rate spikes pull buyers off the sidelines. Redfin data from the 2024 to 2025 period showed pending home sales declining during periods when rates climbed above 7%. If rates are declining when you are ready to sell, the seasonal premium may be amplified. If rates are rising, even a spring listing may face headwinds.

Inventory Levels and Competition

The number of homes for sale in your area directly affects your negotiating position. NAR reported 1.54 million units of inventory in May 2025, a 20.3% increase from the prior year. More inventory means more competition for sellers, but it also means more buyers are actively shopping because they have options. In 2025, monthly inventory peaked at 1.63 million units in July before declining as sellers pulled listings late in the year.

The supply metric to watch is "months of supply," which measures how long it would take to sell all current listings at the current pace. Below four months generally indicates a seller's market; above six months favors buyers. As of late 2025, the national figure hovered around 4.2 months, indicating relatively balanced conditions with a slight seller advantage. Knowing your local months-of-supply figure gives you far more actionable information than national seasonal averages.

Buyer's Market vs. Seller's Market

In a seller's market, timing is less critical because demand outstrips supply regardless of the month. Homes receive multiple offers, sell quickly, and regularly close above asking price. In a buyer's market, timing becomes more important because sellers need every possible advantage, including seasonal demand, curb appeal, and competitive pricing.

If you are unsure whether your local market favors buyers or sellers, an agent with deep local expertise can analyze current conditions and advise you on whether waiting for peak season or listing immediately makes more sense. In many cases, listing in a transitional market before inventory rises further can be more profitable than waiting for the "perfect" month.

Personal Readiness and Life Circumstances

No amount of data can override the fact that selling a home is deeply personal. Job relocations, family changes, financial pressures, and life transitions do not operate on a seasonal schedule. If you need to sell in November, a skilled agent can still help you achieve a strong result through smart pricing, strategic staging, and targeted marketing. The seasonal premium data should inform your decision, not dictate it.

How to Prepare for an Optimal Listing Date

If you are targeting a spring listing, preparation should begin months in advance. Here is a realistic timeline to ensure you are ready to capitalize on the best time to sell a house.

Three to Four Months Before Listing

Begin with a pre-listing assessment. Walk through your home with a critical eye and identify repairs, updates, and decluttering tasks that will take time to complete. Interview agents and select someone whose track record in your market inspires confidence. Your agent can advise on which improvements will deliver the strongest return and which ones to skip. Consider scheduling a pre-listing home inspection to identify and address issues before buyers discover them.

Six to Eight Weeks Before Listing

Complete all repairs and improvements. Deep clean the entire home, including windows, carpets, and exterior surfaces. Begin decluttering aggressively; potential buyers need to see space, not personal belongings. If your agent recommends professional staging, book a consultation now. Schedule professional photography for a date when the home and yard look their best.

Two to Three Weeks Before Listing

Finalize your pricing strategy with your agent. Review comparable sales from the last 60 to 90 days, active inventory in your area, and any market shifts that have occurred since you started preparing. Lock in your listing date, ideally a Thursday in late April or May for most markets. Prepare the home for photography and video tours. Ensure every room is clean, well-lit, and staged for maximum appeal.

Listing Week

Go live on Thursday. Your agent should have a marketing plan that includes MLS listing, professional photos, virtual tours, social media promotion, and a first-weekend open house. Be prepared for strong initial showing activity. The first five to seven days will generate the most interest, and this is when the best offers typically arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Time to Sell a House

What is the best month to sell a house?

May is the best month to sell a house nationally, based on ATTOM's analysis of 47 million home sales from 2015 to 2024. Sellers who list in May achieve an average premium of 9.5% above estimated market value. Zillow's 2024 data found that homes listed in the last two weeks of May earned approximately $5,600 more than comparable listings at other times.

What is the best day of the week to list a house for sale?

Thursday is the best day to list a house for sale, according to Zillow research. Thursday listings tend to sell faster and are more likely to sell above asking price. The timing allows buyers to discover the listing before weekend showings. Sunday is the worst day to list.

Is spring always the best season to sell a house?

Spring is the best season for most U.S. markets, but not all. In warm-climate markets like South Florida, the winter months from November through March can be ideal for selling to out-of-state buyers and snowbirds. In mild-climate areas like San Diego, seasonality has less impact. Your local market conditions matter more than national seasonal averages.

How much more can I get by selling in spring versus winter?

Based on ATTOM data, the difference between the best month (May at 9.5% premium) and the worst month (November at 6.4% premium) is about 3.1 percentage points. On a $400,000 home, that translates to roughly $12,400 in additional proceeds. However, the actual difference depends on your local market, pricing strategy, and agent performance.

Does pricing strategy matter more than timing?

Yes. An accurately priced home listed in an off-peak month will typically outperform an overpriced home listed in peak season. The first two weeks of a listing generate the most buyer attention, and that window is lost if the home is priced above market value. A top-performing agent who prices correctly from day one is more valuable than any seasonal advantage.

What if I need to sell my house in winter?

Selling in winter is entirely viable. February actually ranks second among all months for seller premiums at 9.4%, according to ATTOM data. Winter buyers tend to be serious, motivated, and less likely to engage in extended negotiations. Fewer competing listings also mean your home faces less competition. Focus on pricing accurately, staging with warm lighting, and working with an experienced agent.

How do mortgage rates affect the best time to sell?

Mortgage rates directly impact buyer demand. When rates drop, more buyers enter the market and can afford higher prices, which benefits sellers regardless of the month. When rates rise, buyer activity declines even during traditionally strong months. Monitoring rate trends can help you time your listing to coincide with both seasonal demand and favorable financing conditions.

How far in advance should I prepare to sell my house?

Begin preparing three to four months before your target listing date. This gives you time to complete repairs, declutter, interview agents, develop a pricing strategy, and schedule professional photography. If you are targeting a late-May listing, start your preparation in January or February to ensure everything is ready for the optimal listing window.