How to Know Whether It's A Good Time to Sell a Home

Are you considering selling your house? Many home sellers struggle with when they should pull the trigger and sell their homes.

When people have a choice, they usually want to opt for the time that will allow them to sell quickly and for the most money.

The season depends on whether it is a good time to sell a home. There are certainly better times of the year to sell than others. Many potential sellers ask their real estate agent, "is it a good time to sell a house?"

Unfortunately, when you ask some real estate agents this question, the answer is often NOW. When you get this answer, you're likely looking at someone who cares more about their income than what's best for you.

The Best Season to Sell a Home is in The Spring

Spring is one of the best times to sell a house due to the combination of longer days, warmer weather, and an influx of buyers that enter the market. This is especially true in areas of the country with cold and snowy winters.

The longer days in the spring provide more natural light and allow buyers to see the beauty of a home in the daylight.

This can help a property to stand out in the market and make it more attractive to buyers.

Warmer weather also makes buyers more likely to be out and about looking at homes, increasing the potential number of interested buyers.

Finally, the spring season is often when many buyers are looking to purchase a home, making it an ideal time to list a house and find potential buyers. Think about when your property looks its best.

It's spring, right?

What is The Current Housing Supply?

With a low housing supply, sellers have more control over the market and can get a higher house price. Market values tend to rise in low-inventory housing environments.

On the other hand, when homes are abundant for sale, the opposite is true. Sellers compete with one another for the buyers in the market.

A buyer's market will form when there is a glut of homes for sale, and an imbalance exists. Pricing accurately becomes critical in a market favoring buyers.

When markets change, it is easier to get your price wrong. Real Estate agents need to factor swings into their pricing.

Many sellers will end up reducing the price of their homes to compete. If you have a choice, it may be better to hold off selling when market forces favor buyers.

It won't matter so much if you plan on purchasing simultaneously.  You will be taking advantage of the market with your purchase.

Why Way Are Interest Rates Headed?

Rising interest rates can have a significant impact on home sales.

When interest rates go up, buying a home becomes more expensive. A buyer's mortgage payment will increase. With increased payments, buyers will be locked out of purchasing a home they want.

It can cause potential buyers to delay their purchase decision or reconsider buying altogether.

Some who need to purchase will be forced away from a more pleasing fixed-rate loan into an adjustable-rate mortgage. They settle for the uncertainty of increasing rates over time to get the initial lower rate.

Additionally, existing homeowners may be less likely to put their homes on the market if they know they will have to pay a higher rate when they buy their next home.

In the last year, we have seen this scenario play out. Interest rates were at record lows, around 3 percent, and then they more than doubled.

Once that happened, the red-hot housing market cooled quickly. Real estate markets are far more balanced in many areas of the country.

Ultimately, when interest rates rise, the housing market becomes more challenging to buy and sell.

All Real Estate is Local

When selling a home, it is essential to understand the local market. National news and trends can be helpful, but they don’t always reflect what is happening locally.

Your local market could be very different than what is happening elsewhere. Several factors, including the local economy, supply and demand, and the availability of financing, determine local real estate conditions.

Understanding the nuances of the local market can help sellers make the most of their listings and get the highest possible price. It causes many to ask their real estate agent, "should I sell my home now" or wait?

Buyers, too, can benefit from understanding the local market, as it allows them to be better informed when searching for a new home.

Asking a real estate agent about where the market is headed is essential. Is inventory low or high at the moment? Where is it headed? Is demand meeting the housing supply, or is it beating it?

The answers to these questions could help determine if it is a good time to sell. Take the time to understand the local market to improve your chances of making an excellent timing decision.

Final Thoughts on When to Sell a House

There are always several things to consider when selling a house. Selling is a personal choice that might make sense for you but not for others.

Knowing the supply and demand of the market and the current interest rates should help you make a more informed decision.

Keep in mind that there are specific selling seasons that will be better than others.

If you can find a Realtor you can trust, they should be able to depict what to expect in all seasons accurately.

It is vital to understand that the news you hear about real estate could be different than your location

By researching the current market and understanding the local conditions, you can make a more informed decision to maximize your chances of getting the best terms.