Are there certain times of the year that I should avoid putting my house on the market?

This is one of the questions I’m asked most often during listing appointments, and it’s definitely smart to think strategically about timing your list date if your personal situation allows for flexibility.

Our local market does tend to follow a familiar seasonal cycle influenced by weather, school schedules, and holidays. Unsurprisingly, activity typically slows between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, as many buyers are focused on holiday spending and travel during that time. But sellers should also be mindful of other holiday weekends that can impact a listing launch. Realtors often try to avoid bringing homes to market right before Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day, since many buyers travel during those weekends, which can reduce open house traffic.

Another surprisingly slow time of year in our area is July and August. I recently spoke with sellers who had been advised to list in July to attract buyers hoping to enroll in our Blue Ribbon school districts. However, La Cañada and Glendale schools typically begin in mid-August, and enrollment periods usually open the February prior. As a result, buyers who are specifically purchasing for schools are often house hunting in the spring rather than waiting until summer. Because our neighborhoods are so closely tied to school calendars, July and August tend to become vacation and back-to-school months for many families, making late summer one of the quieter periods of the year for real estate activity. Even many local Realtors schedule their own vacations during that time.

That said, we are fortunate that the consistently low inventory in our foothill communities helps maintain strong buyer demand year-round. So if you end up needing to list your home in December – or during another traditionally slower season – there is absolutely no reason your home can’t still sell quickly. It simply becomes more important to recognize current market conditions and price strategically. And remember: listing during a slower time of year can also mean facing less competition from nearby listings, which can help offset having fewer active buyers in the market.

Kari Carson

DRE #01903828

(818) 424-5537

kari@karicarson.com

Neighborhoods Served: La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Glendale, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Greater LA area