If you’re a real estate agent it’s your job to know when the best time to buy or sell a home in your particular area is. Although markets vary slightly from state to state or even region to region they generally have some things in common. In California the weather is not as much of a factor as in other states where the harsh winters may not permit house hunting at certain times. So what is the best time to sell in California?
Right after the end of football season the home buying and selling season begins. In California the season starts in February and hits its stride in early Spring. Buyer activity peaks in early Summer and remains strong well into months ending in “ember,” beyond when we move the clocks forward and the days get shorter. It starts earlier here and ends later than in most parts of the country. California real estate buyers and sellers are not as seasonal as those in other places. Our famous Southern California weather has a lot to do with that.
Every home buyer searches the internet before visiting open houses or seeing homes with a real estate agent. The early months of the year are a heavy time for online real estate research, especially that being done by out-of-area buyers planning to relocate to Los Angeles in the spring or summer. If you are selling a home in LA, these are buyers you definitely want to reach (many buyers relocating for career reasons are highly-incentivized by employers to buy a home) This year online activity is already especially strong and the very high buyer demand is palpable.
As a seller you want your home exposed to the maximum number of qualified buyers. All other things being equal and in most years, late spring or early summer is the best time to list a home for sale in Los Angeles. Why is that? Many families with school-age children are out looking that time of year in hopes they can find a home and get the move done during summer break. More people look for homes in the spring and summer than any time of year, that’s when your home will be seen by the largest number of qualified buyers, all things being equal. More buyers means more competition and a higher likelihood your home will sell at the highest price possible in the shortest amount of time.