Below are two graphs reflecting the number of sales by area, by month, over the last four years. I made them this way because I wanted to see trends which would indicate the best time to list a home. Here are my thoughts:
- Peak sales are in about June.
- Sales start picking up in March, which means you would want to have your house listed in early February. (it takes 30-60 days to go from contract to closing)
- People are ALWAYS buying homes so there is nothing wrong with selling in January. But the more people buying, the more chances you have of selling your home.
- 2009 seems to be a bit unique from the other years… I attribute this to the first-time home buyer tax credit that was set to expire November 30. I think it gave a boost to the second half of this year. (Congress has just extended and expanded this tax credit through April 2010).
