Listing your home for sale is somewhat akin to baking a pie. You want it warm, fragrant, and ready just as company walks through the door. Too soon and it's half baked. Too late and it’s already cooled. So when is just right?
It is important to consider major holidays, weather, local sporting events, etc. Often things of that nature will slow Buyer activity. But that aside, and looking at just a random time of year and a random day of the week, here are my thoughts.
In Louisville Kentucky, it is my opinion that the best time of year to list your home is starting in late Winter (provided there isn't any snow on the ground) through spring: February through early June. Why? Competition. More specifically - a lack of competition. A certain percentage of Buyers that have been looking all winter haven't found what they need because of low inventory. So by putting a home on the market just as winter starts to thaw, you can pick up those Buyers without a lot of competition from other potential home sellers in your neighborhood. Alternatively, you can wait for Spring to be well on its way. You'll have more competition from your neighbors as a seller, but there will be more buyers as well. Many home buyers want to make a move when their children are out of school - that way, they avoid their children having to switch schools mid year. So by listing in spring, you can take advantage of more potential buyers wanting to make a move.
Now looking more detailed, what is the best day of the week to take a home listing live? I personally prefer Thursdays. As many potential buyers are making their weekend plans, you are fresh in buyer's minds during discussions Thursday evening at dinner (or when they check their email at breakfast on Friday morning).
Of course, timing isn’t everything - it won't solve other potential issues: your home should be clean, bright, and ready for visitors. The marketing needs to be on point: good photos, a listing description that tells a story, declutter / depersonalize, and get the home ready to shine: polish the windows, trim the hedges, knock down the cobwebs and help buyers envision themselves in their new home.
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