When Is the Best Time To Sell Your Home?

By Frank Valente

Associate Broker at eXp realty of California. Active agent and broker since 2003 in the Sacramento Region. Retired from the Navy in 2002 after 24 years as a Commander. Former Surface Warfare Officer.

As a real estate agent, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “What is the best time of year to sell your home?” Here in the Sacramento, Placer County, El Dorado County, and Central Valley areas, we really don’t experience the seasonal shifts like other places.

While areas with extreme weather may have slower winters, here in Northern California, the market stays pretty consistent all year round. I dug into some data and tracked listings versus closed sales, and I’ll break it down for you so you can get a clearer picture of the best times to sell:

Winter: A surprisingly good time to sell. Winter can actually be a great time to sell in Northern California, especially in areas like Sacramento where the market doesn’t follow strict seasonal trends. After tracking sales over the past seven years, I found that December, January, and February often see fewer listings but strong sales, meaning less competition and a better chance for your home to stand out.

Spring and Summer: A commonly believed peak season. Spring and summer seasons tend to see more listings and more closed sales, making it seem like the best time to sell. However, the increase in listings means there are more home options for buyers. This can make it harder for your home to stand out.

When you’re ready: The most ideal time to sell. In the end, the best time to sell your home is when you’re truly prepared after all. Once you’ve done the prep work like inspections, repairs, cleaning, and have a plan for the next steps, then it’s time to put the listing up.

From deciding to preparing to list your home, selling involves several steps, and it’s normal to have questions along the way! In case you need help or just want to chat about the process, feel free to call or text me at 916-257-0893 or email me at frank@frankvalente.com.