Why May Is the Best Month to List Your Home, According to Zillow

Obviously, there are many factors weighing on when you need to list your home for sale and why, however if you can pick and choose, you might want to wait until the weather warms up. Analysis from Zillow Group, which operates America’s most visited real estate website, says springtime is also when the real estate market heats up, too.

Nationwide, homesellers who listed their properties in the second half of May saw their final sale price boosted by an average of $5,600 or 1.6 percent compared to the expected sales price (which is based on Zillow’s tracking of a home’s “Zestimate” for the previous six months). However, late spring seems to be the target, as early May and early June saw sale bumps of 1.5 percent and 1.4 percent respectively.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. In its breakdown of major cities, Zillow highlights that Tampa, Florida homes listed in early October actually saw their sales price peak at 1.8 percent above expectations, and late November listings in Phoenix, Arizona sold for 1.4 percent more than estimates suggested. On the earlier side, Seattle, Washington, Austin, Texas, and California cities of San Diego and San Jose all saw their best bonus returns on home listed in the second half of March.

So when is the worst time to list your home? Generally speaking, that appears to be winter months, specifically December into early January, when, in the last two weeks of the year, you can expect your home to sell for 2.5 percentage points below market estimates.

However, timing isn’t everything. Zillow also offered some key insights into other ways to maximize your sales price prospects. Ensuring your realtor has listed your home on the MLS or Multiple Listing Service has been shown to increase final sales prices compared to those that are not. And your listing should play up the features that are currently in-demand — for example, Zillow says backyard amenities like an outdoor TV can boost a sales price by as much as $10,000. Finally, beyond curb appeal, give your home “screen appeal,” which is to say, include hi-res images and a 3D virtual tour or interactive floorplan for online shoppers if possible, which, again, research shows can mean more money in the final sale.

Taking those photos on a sunny day in May probably doesn’t hurt, either.