Sometimes home buyers and sellers are surprised that there’s actually certain times of the year that are better for making a sale on a home. The real estate market is like the ocean tide because it ebbs and flows, has highs and has lows.
When is the best time to buy or sell a home?
Anytime of year is a great time to buy or sell a home. But there are primarily two times of the year that are busy for buying or selling a home, which are in the spring and fall—from early March to late May or September to late November.
THE FLUCTUATING REAL ESTATE MARKET
The real estate market definitely fluctuates but there are tangible patterns that indicate that certain seasons of the year where buying or selling a house is most optimal. Your real estate agent is constantly examining market fluctuations and analyzes what’s going on in your community.
Is there an unusually low inventory of houses for sale in the area you’re looking to buy in? That means it’s probably a “Sellers Market” because there is a lot of demand for houses but there are so few of them being listed in the city.
Or perhaps there is an abundance of homes for sale at all price points! That generally means it’s a “Buyers Market” and you’ll have lots of houses to choose from at great prices!
Whatever the market is doing, agents tend to see the same patterns emerging in the market every year depending on the season. Of course, every year is slightly different, but the following is what you can typically expect of the market given the time of year.
THE MARKET IN THE SPRING
Typically, the busiest time of year for buying and selling a home in Brantford is from early March to late May. This is our Spring Real Estate Market and it’s when people are coming out of their winter hibernation, and are ready to make a move.
Generally speaking, people that are ready to buy or sell a home in the Spring market like to close on their new properties a couple months later in the summer. The summer is always a great time for moving.
If you’re a home buyer, it’s important to keep your eyes open for when that perfect property hits the market. It may not be for sale for very long at this time of year and we don’t want you to miss it.
For sellers, you can prepare for the busy Spring season by planning ahead and getting your real estate marketing photos and video done in advance. If you get everything done and ready to go in advance, your home can be one of the first to hit the market and you’ll be ahead of rest.
THE MARKET IN THE FALL
The Fall is another very popular time of year to buy and sell a home. Just like in the Springtime, the Fall seems to be when people are looking to get their real estate deals done and completed before the winter comes.
A lot of buyers start to think about the upcoming holidays and like to imagine being cozy in their new home. So the Fall Real Estate Market is a great time to list your property and take advantage of all the interested buyers.
Again, planning in advance to put your home up for sale in the Fall puts you at a great advantage. It gives you time to prepare your marketing and it means your listing will be ready right out of the gate when the market start to pick up.
THE MARKET IN THE SUMMER AND WINTER
Although the summer and winter tend to be slightly slower times of the year for real estate sales, there’s still great opportunities to be had. 
In the summer, houses look amazing with their landscaping done up, and the bright sunshine is beaming in through the windows. This is especially true if your home has a swimming pool or other outdoor amenities.
In the winter, people love fantasizing the the warmth inside a home, and seeing a blanket of snow outside. They really get a sense of home when they view potential purchases. In the winter, buyers may not feel as rushed to put in an offer on a home and they can take their time choosing what they really want during this time of year.
YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT WILL GUIDE YOU
Your Real Estate Agent is an excellent resource for helping you determine the right time to buy or sell. Of course, there are times when you don’t have the luxury of waiting, but instead need to buy or sell your home immediately. No matter what time of year you decide to jump into the market, your REALTOR® will be there to guide you every step of the way.
GET ACTIVE LISTINGS SENT TO YOUR INBOX
If you’re thinking of buying a home, we offer the free home listing portal which sends new active listings to your inbox every day. We will send you listings that meet your criteria (your budget, location, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, etc.) directly to your email inbox so you will be among the first to see them when they go up for sale. It’s also a great way to beat the rush on a popular property and get your offer in before anyone else – and that’s important in a busy market.
