Selling patterns are shifting — but spring is still best 

While the economy remains uncertain heading into peak homebuying season, two new reports are providing some insight into when sellers should consider listing in order to maximize their profits.

Realtor.com's annual "best time to sell" analysis identifies the week of April 13-19 as the ideal window based on seasonal trends seen over the past seven years. But if sellers aren't ready to list quite yet, Zillow's research indicates that waiting until later in the spring may produce better results.

Economic volatility could disrupt typical market trends

What's unclear is how much of an impact broader economic issues will have on homebuyer confidence heading into the spring season. With the federal government slashing jobs, the stock market down more than 2,800 points in the past month and consumer confidence down significantly, buyers may be reluctant to pull the trigger.

"The recent nosedive in the stock market could slow down the housing market even further, as prospective buyers are watching some of their wealth that they might be using for a down payment on a new home evaporate," said Joel Berner, a senior economist at Realtor.com. 

"Price reductions and time on market are already elevated in 2025 as the market has started to rebalance, and buyers having less money in their pockets and more trepidation about making a major purchase will only accelerate these trends," Berner added.

Seasonality could still win out

Even with the economy in flux, seasonal patterns are strong and remain the best guide for homeowners as they consider when to list, said Danielle Hale, Realtor.com's chief economist.

"Very predictably, homes listed in the spring tend to be priced higher and sell faster than the average week throughout the year," Hale said.

In reviewing data from previous years, Realtor.com found the median listing price for the week of April 13 was typically 1.1% higher than the average week throughout the year and was 6.7% higher compared to the beginning of January. Homes listed during that week also typically sell nine days faster, and the share of buyers browsing listings is 17.7% higher.

But there's no need to worry if a seller isn't quite ready to put their home on the market in mid-April, said Hannah Jones, Realtor.com's senior research analyst.

"The weeks following the Best Week are nearly as good, but tend to see more sellers coming into the market, meaning more seller competition," Jones said.

Zillow: Wait until May

Using last year's sales data as a guide, Zillow suggests listing during the last two weeks in May. In 2024, sellers who listed during that time frame sold for 1.6% more, or roughly $5,600 on a typical home, the report indicated. 

While mid-April to early May have traditionally been the peak selling weeks, the disruption of the pandemic and mortgage rate volatility have made the housing market less predictable, but it began to stabilize last year, according to the report. That means sellers who list during the annual sweet spot aren't seeing as big of sale price premium, but they also aren't taking as big of a hit if they list outside that window. 

Mortgage rates have also been more stable in recent weeks, which — in theory — should encourage more home sales activity. But "timing a home sale around mortgage rates and local market dynamics is difficult and has varying benefits," the report noted, and "the reality is most sellers don't have the luxury of being able to wait for the right week and the right month to sell."

The past few years have proven just how hard it is to time a home sale around lower rates. Mortgage rates spiked last spring, with 30-year rates topping 7% in May, while 2023 saw rates nearly hit 7% in July.

Where sellers are rewarded for listing early (or late)

If sales patterns are similar to 2024, some areas may have already entered the prime listing period. Last year, sellers in Austin, San Diego, San Jose and Seattle saw the largest gains when listing in the last two weeks of March, Zillow found, with the highest sales premium in San Jose (+5.3%).

While fall is the off-season in most markets, that wasn't the case in Phoenix last year. Sellers who listed in late November — when temperatures are more mild — saw the biggest boost in profits.