Whether you're selling your home for the first time or want a more realistic price, you should know when to sell. Canadian home sales are slowest in January, April, and May. There are a few things you can do to increase your home's value.
Seasonality affects when to sell a house
Timing your home sale is crucial. Local housing market seasonality is important to know. You must also understand these patterns' drivers. You'll be prepared.
According to strawhomes.com, seasonality heavily affects when to sell a home in Canada. More buyers mean higher house prices. Fewer buyers mean lower home prices. Fewer buyers means less competition and bidding wars.
Winter slows the housing market, and the holidays can reduce demand. Spring and summer are busy seasons. During these months, it's easier to find a home because more people are out.
Summer is a competitive market. Buyers want bigger homes. School year affects the housing market. Parents typically buy at the end of the school year.
Best month to sell a house
Spring is the best time to sell a home. Warmer weather encourages homebuyers and allows homeowners to air out their homes daily.
However, selling a home is about more than price. Good presentations are crucial. Sellers should consider weather, mortgage rates, and tax incentives.
Homebuyers find the holidays stressful. They may leave for the holidays and return to muddy boots or puddles. Buyers and sellers can become frustrated.
Worst Months to Sell a House
Choosing when to sell a home is difficult. Season, buyer demand, and local market conditions can influence the decision.
Spring is a popular time to sell a home. Warmer months attract more buyers, making home sales and improvements easier. Warmer weather allows homeowners to air out their homes daily.
March-August is spring. May and June are the best months to sell a home, according to ATTOM Data Solutions.
The study found homeowners can sell for 10% above market value during this time.
December is Bankrate's worst month for home sales. Due to lower prices and fewer buyers. Holidays may also slow home sales.
Spring is a great time to buy a home. Most buyers want to buy before summer. Fewer homes on the market mean better deals for buyers.
The best day to list a house for sale
House-hunting can be stressful. Multiple factors affect Canada's real estate market. Supply and demand is crucial. Location and season affect the number of homes for sale.
Winter housing is scarce. Cold weather deters homebuyers. Buyers may have to wait longer to close on a house. It can lower homeowners' yield.
Winter homes sell for less. This means fewer buyers and longer market time. Spring is the prime home-selling season. March-May is the spring housing market. Demand exceeds supply. Multiple offers and faster closing can result. It's also a good time to improve curb appeal.
Lowest Median Days on Market in May
Despite the weak economy, the housing market is improving. The median days on market for a Vancouver single-family home dropped 15% from May to April. The median closing price also rose by 0.8% during this time. Langley was the only city where active listings increased from May to April.
The lowest median days on market is an interesting statistic. In some markets, the average home spends even longer on the market. As interest rates rise and more buyers qualify for mortgages, now may be a good time to buy a home. Inventory is rising, making it a good time to sell.
The biggest question is the market's future. The housing market will remain strong, albeit more slowly than in recent years, according to the data.
Higher Median Days on Market in December
Despite a sluggish market, homes sold faster in December than in December 2015. The median DOM dropped from 28 to 29 days, according to the National Association of Realtors. Despite a drop in activity, the state's housing supply rose from 3.8 million in December to 7 million in October. The real estate market took time to recover from last year's hype. Mortgage rates fell below 3% slowly. Federal Reserve bond purchases kept rates low for much of the year.
The housing market has recovered. 2017 and 2018 were driven by low mortgage rates. Mortgage lenders are getting back to basics as interest rates rise.
How to get the best price for your house
Knowing where to look can help you get the best price for your home. Find a property in your price range that hasn't been on the market long. If you don't have time or patience, hire a buyer's agent. Their deals will amaze you.
September and October are ideal for buying a home. Cooler temperatures are friendlier to homebuyers and boost home prices. If you can wait, these months are the best to sell a home. This is especially true in areas with brutal summers.
Offering your house for less than it's worth will help you get the best price. Some sellers will waive the home inspection for all cash offers or low prices.
Market Conditions that Affect the Property Market
Several factors influence real estate market conditions. Density, economy, interest rates, etc. Provincial and neighbourhood factors vary. Demographics also affect real estate trends.
Demographics include growth, income, gender, race, and immigration. Long-term demographic trends can affect real estate. An ageing population may not have children or want to buy a vacation home.
Unemployment affects real estate market conditions. Job loss can cause mortgage arrears and home repossession. This can affect real estate depending on the country's economy.
Government incentives can affect real estate market conditions. Subsidies and tax credits may boost real estate demand. Subsidies help low-income homebuyers.
Winter is the worst seasons to sell
Winter home sales are slower and lower than summer sales. This is due to fewer buyers in the winter.
Knowing seasonal trends is important when selling a home. This tells you when to sell. A homeowner can sell their home for 10% more in May or June.
Many buyers save for a down payment or vacation during the winter. This hinders sellers' ability to highlight their homes' best features. Winter weather can make viewings difficult. Also, foot traffic is lower.
Spring is a good time to sell a home, but it's competitive. Tax breaks encourage homebuyers to close before year's end. Before school starts, they may want to settle in.
Don't sell to Unqualified Buyers
December is the slowest month of the year, so list your home then. Take advantage of this blemished season by listing your house before the snow flies. Beyond the usual suspects, there are many good buyers. The key is identifying them, which is easier than you think.
To succeed, make sure your listing is clean and well-priced. Then you can focus on selling the house. Since you'll spend a lot of time on the phone, you'll be better able to negotiate with buyers once you agree on price and terms. Your schedule won't be subject to delays or cancellations. Buyers are looking to buy in the winter due to a lack of inventory in many areas of the country.
More Homes Sold Above List Price in April & May
Despite a sales slowdown, some housing markets remain competitive. In April and May, Richmond homebuyers paid 8% more than the original list price.
Above-list-price homes indicate a hot market. Price isn't always the best indicator of a home's value. It can be misleading for non-market experts. Be realistic about your budget when determining a home's value. Mortgage rates add stress to buyers.
According to Strawhomes.com, the average home sale price in May was 38% above the list price. In May, the average home sold in 16 days, down from 38 last year.
Average sale-to-list price ratio hit 102.2%. That's more than double May 2018's 90.7. This ratio indicates a competitive market.
Tips for selling a house in the summer
Summer is a great time to sell your home because many families are looking. There are ways to sell your home faster during the busy summer season.
Summer home sales depend on first impressions. This includes outside. Clean and maintain your pool, backyard, and front porch. A door wreath or colourful bushes can draw attention and set the scene.
Staging makes a home stand out in a crowded market. It can boost offer odds. It can be expensive, though.
Price is also crucial. Overpricing your home could cost you thousands in lost profits. Any season, a properly priced home will sell.
Ensure your home is well-cooled. This will make your home more comfortable and encourage buyers to stay.
Spring is the best seasons to sell
When the weather is bad, selling a house can be difficult. Selling in Canada involves many factors.
There are many reasons to sell your house in the spring, and many not to. Spring demand is another reason to sell. Warmer weather and fewer homes for sale cause this. Better pricing is possible.
Warm weather increases pedestrian traffic. Multiple offers can result. People have more time to view homes. They attend open houses and socialise more.
Spring is a good time to buy a home. Because it's warmer, people spend more time at home.
Selling in a buyers market
Rising mortgage rates discourage homebuyers. This reduces your buying power and may require a lower price. Low market activity may require sellers to lower prices.
Spring is good for selling a home. The market slows in early June and could slow further in the second half. Summer vacations are popular. Many buyers move before school starts or for family reasons.
April's housing price index fell 1.1% lower than last year so its important to price your home sharp.
Hire a Real Estate Agent
Find a market-savvy realtor. A good agent will evaluate your home's strengths and weaknesses and offer improvements. The agent will list the home's features and improvements.
Decluttering can help sell your home. This includes personal items and clutter. Staging your home helps buyers imagine living there.
Are Open Houses Worth It?
Whether you're a seller or an agent, open houses can be a hassle. They boost market confidence and attract buyers. Most buyers won't find them useful.
Real estate is sizzling. Online buyers scan listings and floor plans. Videos are available. Post-pandemic buyers scrutinise photos. Before contacting agents, they can narrow their options.
Open houses may no longer be effective. Video, floor plans, and photos are new marketing tools. Some sellers fear visitor damage or theft. These strategies can help you sell for top dollar.
Open houses are risky for theft. A visitor can easily scout your location for a break-in. Writing an offer after an open house can be difficult.
Summary
Now you should know when to sell: whether it's your first time or if you want a better price for your home. Whatever timeline you choose, increasing your home's worth is possible if you use the right strategy for any given market.
