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When is the best time to sell a home in Seattle?

By Kevin Wolff

|Updated
A realtor opening a house for viewing.

A realtor opening a house for viewing.

SDI Productions/Getty Images/iStockphoto

One of the most challenging questions in real estate is when to sell your home?

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In the Seattle region, the answer to this question is no easier than anywhere else. The data suggests that nationally, and in Seattle, the first two weeks in May offers both the highest sales volume and the shortest selling period. Conversely, the data also suggests that October and December have the lowest. However, the challenges presented in 2020 that are likely to continue well into 2021, combined with record-low interest rates, create a brisk market regardless of the time of year. Demand is still outpacing availability.

Perhaps it is time to take a larger view than just a couple of weeks or months. Some seasonal rhythms can aid in understanding market trends versus a single month or less.

Spring is the season that stands out as the most active, with a modest slowing during summer. This subtle tapering in summer is based primarily on fewer buyers due to the summer holidays.

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There is one advantage to selling in the summer over spring as families are under more pressure to get into their new home before the school year begins. With these considerations, both spring and summer have consistently maintained their positions as the best time to sell with no expected changes to come.

Does this mean that one should not sell in fall or winter? The simple answer is no.

Because there are fewer sellers during the fall and winter, this can lead to a premium for the limited availability. This shortfall of available inventory can even lead to bidding wars driving prices up. This charged market condition has shown itself in the fall of 2020, continuing into winter 2021, where inventory is low. The combination of buyers that are each more eager and thus prepared with pre-approvals, large down payments and a willingness to place limited conditions or contingencies in their offers can lead to this being the ideal time to sell.

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Taking all of this into account, the best time to sell your house is when it is most advantageous for you.

While there are typically more buyers in the spring, there is also more competition. If you are in a similar position to find a new home and move before the school year starts post-summer, you should consider this as when you want to sell. However, if you do not have a rush, you may decide that doing some minor maintenance on your home and enjoying Seattle's limited summer in your established garden makes sense for a fall or later listing.

In either case, it is highly advisable to discuss this with a licensed real estate agent or broker. They will be able to properly advise you of your local market's condition and what steps can increase your home's saleability and the resulting best course of action.

Depending on the area, a move-in ready home is ideal. While it takes money to get your house to this condition, it also takes time. The summer may be perfect for this maintenance. The results can create for a better showing and typically, this also means a higher sales price.

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Kevin Wolff is a real estate freelance writer for the Seattle P-I.