What Is the Worst Month to Sell a House?
Bad timing can be painful and costly in relationships and financial ventures. This can be especially true when making plans to sell your home. Knowing the worst month to sell a house can help you adjust your strategy and avoid financial potholes or delays.
Certain months traditionally yield higher premiums for sellers, while others see lower returns.
In this post, we’ll share statistical insights for the best and worst month to sell a house and even the best day of the week to list your home so you can better achieve your selling objectives.
What is the worst month to sell a house?
According to the real estate experts at ATTOM, October is the least favorable month to sell a home. Historical data over the past 13 years indicates that properties listed in October have consistently brought in lower premiums of 8.8% compared to other months of the year which yielded as much as 13.1% above market value.
November and September (both at 9.5%) follow closely behind as more challenging months for home sellers, often due to the shift in buyer interest as the year winds down.
What is the best month to sell a house?
On the flip side, ATTOM’s data shows that May is an ideal month to sell a house. Thanks to the high buyer demand during the spring market, sellers listing in May can capture up to a 13.1% premium above market value.
February and April also present stronger selling opportunities, with premiums close behind May’s, at 12.8% and 12.5%, respectively.
For example, if your home’s value is $400,000, selling in May could bring in as much as $52,000 more in proceeds, depending on local market conditions and how well your property is marketed.
Here’s a look at the top-ranked months based on additional premium potential:
1. May: 13.1% above market value
2. February: 12.8% above market value
3. April: 12.5% above market value
4. June: 12.4% above market value
5. March: 12.2% above market value
How might seasonality affect your home sale?
When considering the worst month to sell a house, you should also research local seasonal patterns. These often play a significant role in shaping buyer behavior and, ultimately, home sale outcomes. For instance, in many cities, spring tends to bring a surge of buyers eager to close before summer, which drives demand and prices up. Meanwhile, autumn and winter typically see fewer buyers, as holidays and weather impact activity levels.
By understanding these seasonal ebbs and flows, you can make more strategic choices about when to list your home and increase your chances of maximizing your sale — whether you need higher proceeds or a quicker sale.
To see the best time to sell a house in your local market, try HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator. This free tool uses real estate transaction data from across the country to determine the best time to sell for the most money, and the best time to sell for the fastest closing.
