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In the real estate game, getting the quickest and highest offer possible is the goal of every home seller. To achieve this, you must act strategically. There are good and bad times of year to sell your home, but many sellers are unaware that there are also good and bad days of the week to put a home on the market. Sellers can increase the likelihood of maximizing their gains by listing a property on one day in particular: Thursday. Let’s find out what makes Thursdays so magical for home sales.
The best day of the week to list your house
Thursday is the sweet spot for listing your home for sale. This is mainly because house-hunters tend to plan their in-person home tours for the weekend, when they’re not at work, and pre-weekend listings are fresh in their minds.
“Listing a property on Thursday creates a buzz around it right before the weekend,” says Naim Harrison, a Realtor and broker with Kennedy Taylor Realty in Atlanta.
If you really want to game the timing, consider advertising your property after 5 p.m. on Thursday, when most people come home from work and start looking online. Your brand-new listing has a good chance of being among the first ones buyers see.
Best day for the highest price
Thursday listings are also a good bet to increase your home-sale profits. A 2021 Zillow study found that homes listed on Thursdays were more likely to sell for above their asking price than those listed on other days of the week. Redfin data also shows that Thursday or Friday listings tend to sell for closest to their original list price.
“Listing a property on Thursday and Friday makes the listing look fresh,” says San Diego Realtor Jessica Nguyen of Homesmart Realty West. “Sellers don’t lose any market time by listing a property on either of these days.”
Best day for the fastest sale
Listing your property on a Thursday can help to sell a home fast as well for the best price, the Zillow study found. This time frame gives sellers enough time to have multiple showings over the weekend — and hopefully an offer or two by Monday.
RE/MAX agent Megan Williams, who is based in Baltimore, says she likes to employ this strategy for a quick sale. “I typically list my latest property on Thursday, do a private showing on Friday and hold an open house on Saturday or Sunday,” she says. Her goal is to have the property under contract by Monday.
It’s important to note, however, that this super-fast timeline is very ambitious. According to the National Association of Realtors, in September 2022, properties were typically remaining on the market for about 19 days. The number of days a house stays on the market can depend on various factors, including location, market conditions and asking price. A four-day, Thursday-to-Monday timeline is extremely speedy.
Regional differences
As a general rule end-of-week listings, and particularly those listed on Thursdays, tend to have the best results all across the country — as the Realtors above from Georgia, California and Maryland report. But rules are made to be broken, and results may vary from region to region.
“While the timing of the listing is key, there are some exceptions to the rule,” says Westchester County, New York–based Indira Ranganathan, a broker with Guard Hill Realty. “Sellers must understand the market conditions, accurately assess the value of the home and list at a very competitive price. These factors also contribute to how quickly a sale happens.”
Real estate is hyper-local, and market conditions can vary greatly from one location to another. Seasonality may also come into play in some markets, and holidays — even just long weekends — can have an impact on sales too. It’s important to work with a knowledgeable local real estate agent who understands the intricacies of your specific area.
Bottom line
Thursday is generally thought to be the best day of the week to list a house for sale. Studies show that homes listed on Thursdays are more likely to sell faster, and for a higher price. Talk to your agent about whether listing your property on a Thursday should be part of your home-sale strategy.
FAQs
The best day of the week to list your house. Thursday is the sweet spot for listing your home for sale. This is mainly because house-hunters tend to plan their in-person home tours for the weekend, when they're not at work, and pre-weekend listings are fresh in their minds.
What is the best date to list a house? ›
To sell for the most money, list on a Wednesday. To sell the fastest, list on a Thursday. When it comes to listing a home for sale, sellers don't want to leave anything to chance, including what day they list their home.
What is the most popular day for house showings? ›
What day of the week do most house showings occur? Sunday is the day of the week with the most home showings.
What is the best day to sell a house? ›
List your house on a Thursday to increase the chances of your home selling more quickly and for more money. Homes listed on a Thursday typically go pending faster than any other day of the week, all other things being equal. The difference is notable in a market where homes are typically selling in seven days.
What is the slowest month for real estate sales? ›
Typically, winter time is the slowest of the year to sell a property, specifically November, December, and January. However, there are some exceptions because there are several conditions that affect the housing market.
What month do houses sell the most? ›
Here's how each month of the year ranked for the best time to sell a house. The highest-earning months are, in ranking order, May, June, April and March. Just over 18 million purchase transactions took place during this period, according to ATTOM.
Should I sell my house now or wait until 2024? ›
Best Time to Sell Your House for a Higher Price
April, June, and July are the best months to sell your house in California. The median sale price of houses in June 2023, was $796,400, which is expected to grow more in 2024. However, cities like Arcadia and San Mateo follow an upward trend throughout the year.
Which is the best month to buy a home? ›
If getting the lowest price possible is your main priority, consider searching for a home in November or December. There won't be as many houses to choose from compared to the spring and summer months, but you'll face less competition and a higher likelihood of purchasing a home below the asking price.
What is the slowest day for house showings? ›
What Day of the Week do Most Buyers Look at Homes?
- Most Sellers List their Homes for Sale on Thursdays. ...
- Most Buyers View a Home for Sale on Sundays. ...
- The Slowest Days of the Week are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. ...
- Ranking the Days of the Week for Home Buyer Traffic. ...
- How Many Showings Does it Take to Sell a Home?
For Realtors® using Instagram, the best day to post is Saturday, while Monday is the least effective. The best time to post is typically noon to 9 p.m., while 6 a.m. to noon is the worst. On Twitter, Wednesdays and Fridays are the best days to post, between 9 a.m. and noon.
In most cases, it can take anywhere between 10 and 25 showings to secure a buyer. This variability is influenced by several factors, including the property's pricing, condition, and the competitiveness of the real estate market.
What are the hardest months to sell a house? ›
The best months to sell a house are during the spring season, from April to October. Because the demand outweighs supply, housing prices increase, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans.
What time of year do houses sell cheapest? ›
In general, home prices go lower during the late fall and winter, when most people are focusing on holidays and less people are home-shopping. During late fall and winter, some sellers who were holding out for more money may be willing to negotiate a lower price.
What is the quickest time for a house sale? ›
It's fairly simple. A cash buyer has no searches! How long to complete with the average cash buyer is a bit dependent upon them. Typically you can expect the sale to happen between fourteen days and a month after the two of you have made the agreement.
What time of year are the most homes for sale? ›
Late spring and early summer are the busiest and most competitive time of year for the real estate market. There's usually more inventory listed for sale than other times of year, and home prices are steeper to reflect the increased demand.
What time of year do most houses go on sale? ›
Spring: The real estate market competition is high but open to lower asking prices. Home demand usually rises in March, April, and May. Summer: Summer is the peak season with an active housing market and competitive buyers. Moreover, you have a larger inventory to choose from in June, July, and August.
What time of year are most properties sold? ›
In good weather buyers are more prepared to go house hunting. As such, Spring is a pretty up-beat time of year and often considered to be the time when the most buyers are active in the market. The flip side is that it's also when you can expect to be up against the greatest number of competing sellers.
What time of year do most properties go on sale? ›
Spring is the busiest time of year to buy a home. More properties become available, prices go up and competition increases. Homes also look more presentable in spring. Buyers often purchase in the spring so they can move into their new home during the summer.
