The “Spring” Consensus vs. Strategic Reality
It’s common to hear people talk about the spring real estate market as the best time of year to sell your house. Most data points to June and July as the “golden months” for sellers. While the calendar matters, “the best time” depends entirely on whether you are optimizing top dollar, maximum speed or personal convenience.
In Kansas City, our Midwest weather and school cycle seem to narrow the window of convenience for most people, but that doesn’t mean selling in spring or summer is right for everyone.
Timing for Top Dollar: The June/July “Premium”
Looking at just the data, median prices typically peak between June and July. However, one thing that’s missing from the data is peak market times are heavily skewed by property mix. That’s because larger, newer, higher-end homes most often hit the market in spring and summer. For an identical house, the true seasonal gain is closer to 1% to 3% once you account for larger homes entering the market.
Timing for Speed: The March/April Launch
If speed is your goal, houses typically sell the quickest in June and July. Kansas City sees the longest market times build until March before reversing course. This coincides with the weather improving, spring break and people starting to prepare for summer. Nationally, homes sell about 18 days faster in June than December. In Kansas City, we see the shortest market times in June and July.
Kansas City’s “Seasonal Cliff”
Harsh Kansas winters can lead to a “seasonal cliff” where fewer houses are listed and fewer buyers are shopping. This is especially true between Thanksgiving and March. No one enjoys keeping their house in “show ready” condition when they’re already prepping for the holidays and wrapping up year-end tasks at work.
Once winter hits, many people opt to wait until spring to sell. It’s understandable given the inconvenience of cold, but homes also show better in late spring. The days are longer and the grass is greener. Plus, a huge percentage of buyers prioritize moving between June and August to avoid disrupting the school year.
Winter Wonder: Is Off-Peak Actually Worse?
If you are selling between November and March, just be patient. You’ll have fewer showings, but also fewer “tire kickers”. Buyers shopping in the winter are more motivated and have fewer options. This means you can still get very close to top dollar selling during winter, you just need to allow more time.
When Is The Best Time to Sell For You?
We’ve seen how time of year can affect your price and speed of sale. But not everyone’s options are the same. That’s why it’s important to know what’s best for your situation and neighborhood. If you need help putting the pieces together, I’d love to review your options with you.
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Justin Rollheiser – Real Estate Agent
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Diamond Partners, Inc.
13671 S Mur-Len St, Olathe, KS 66062
Cell 913-800-7653
Office 913-322-7500
www.JustinRollheiser.com
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