Is Now a Good Time to Sell a House
Quick Answer: When asking is now a good time to sell a house, the answer depends less on the housing market and more on personal readiness. Sellers should consider whether they are prepared for the time, paperwork, emotional stress, and decision-making that come with selling a home, as well as whether the reasons for selling align with long-term goals like lifestyle changes, financial stability, or family needs. When the motivation is clear and the logistics are manageable, the timing is often right—regardless of market conditions.
Table of Contents
At some point in every homeowner’s mind, the question comes up – should I sell my home? This is usually followed by some confused thinking about not knowing where to start or what your house may even be worth in this current pandemic market.
DomiDocs® recommends these 6 questions to ask before you sell your house.
Why Do You Want to Sell Your Home?
On average, American homeowners move every five to seven years. Why? Sometimes the decision to move can be as simple as having outgrown your starter residence or being able to now afford a more expensive home, while other times selling your home can involve more complicated factors such as changes in personal relationships. Before committing to entering the sale process, ask yourself:
- Is the current market the best time to sell?
- Do the pros of selling outweigh the cons?
- If the goal of selling is to raise money for another venture, is there another way to do so?
The Five-Year Rule
Do you plan on living in your new home, possibly in a new city, permanently? As a general rule of thumb, financial experts encourage new homeowners to keep their new properties for at least 5 years before considering selling. Why? It’s based on profit/loss, appreciation of your home’s value, and the overall recouping of your investment during those initial years of homeownership.
What is the Timeline for Selling Your Home?
Are you selling your home out of desire or are you relocating to start a new career next month in another state? The timeline for selling your home may allow you some space to watch the ever-changing housing market and see how it plays out over time. If you’re flexible in selling your single-family home, a report by ATTOM Data Solutions shows that certain times of the year may put more money in your pocket:
- May, June, and July respectively yield the highest seller premiums
- October and December produce the lowest profits for sellers
Do You Need to Prep Your House for Sale?
YES- now’s the time to get with it. How much work does your house need before you can list it for sale? According to Remodeling Magazine, garage door replacement at an average cost of $3,695 nets a return on investment rate of 94.5%, while a minor kitchen renovation costing $23,452 returned an average of 77.6%. If something in your home is broken, such as a furnace or glass panes in the window, fixing them won’t increase the value of your home, but it will make it possible to sell. As many states have disclosure rules, it’s vitally important to be upfront about any major problems within your home – you’ll either need to repair the concern or price your home below market value to compensate for any existing issues. Quick, inexpensive fixes around your home could include changing out lighting, flooring, fixtures, and/or painting. Buyers are always interested in having kitchen appliances included, and possibly even some furniture items, so you’ll need to decide what you’re willing to include in your home sale.
Pro Tip: The sale price of an average American home rises by 2.9% if the front door is painted black. Who knew?
What Do I Do With All This Clutter?
We all know how stuff just seems to accumulate, and many times we begin to live among it and seemingly forget it’s there. But to any prospective homebuyers, all that clutter signals a few things: is there not enough storage in your home, and is your home that hard to keep clean? If you’ve got bigger or worn-down furnishings, you may want to consider a temporary storage unit. If you don’t want to clean your house yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. You could also hire a professional stager who can make your home look brighter and larger.
How Do I Choose a Real Estate Agent?
Take the time to find a real estate agent you click with and don’t be afraid to check with at least 3 knowledgeable professionals in your area before choosing. Remember, a great real estate agent will make the entire home selling process seem easy, so if you’re not getting that vibe, maybe you should consider another agent. Ask for information on comparative homes that have sold, as well as to what they’ll do to market your home, especially in today’s fluid pandemic market. Will your agent offer a photo gallery backed up by additional video previews, virtual showings, and/or 3D tours?
How Do I Price My Home to Sell?
When it comes to pricing your home, DomiDocs® uses data and your uploaded property documents based on home improvements and market comparables to show an updated TrueValueIndex® of what your home is currently worth, so you’ll already have an idea before connecting with an agent. Examine the market analyses and see where your home fits in – how many competitive homes are on the market in your neighborhood? How long have they been for sale? Overpricing your home is a common mistake that can result in a lengthy sale process or no sale at all. The Sellers Bundle feature of DomiDocs® ensures you can easily access your important homeownership documents such as appraisals, purchases and upgrades, inspections, permit history, site surveys, and more. Ask your real estate agent for net profit numbers showing both the ultimate possible sale outcome and the least desirable, so you’ll be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.
Take Control of Your Homeownership Journey with DomiDocs®
Managing your home shouldn’t be stressful. DomiDocs® empowers homeowners with innovative technology, expert guidance, and unparalleled organization—all within a secure, cloud-based platform. From protecting your property and finances to streamlining essential tasks, our tools help you save time, reduce expenses, mitigate costly risks, and maximize your home’s value.
Explore the DomiDocs® suite of solutions:
- Homeowner Enablement Platform® – A centralized, digital hub for organizing documents, tracking home value, and managing property details effortlessly.
- HomeLock™ – Protects your home from fraud and title theft with 24/7 monitoring and instant alerts.
- TrueValueIndex® – Provides real-time insights into your home’s value to help you make informed financial decisions.
- propRtax® – Identifies potential property tax savings and ensures you’re not overpaying.
- Documenting for Disaster® – Securely stores critical homeownership documents, ensuring quick access before and after a disaster.
Join the home management revolution today and experience the confidence that comes with having everything you need in one place.
FAQ
Should I sell my house now
Selling now makes sense if life circumstances are driving the decision rather than outside pressure. Common reasons include a need to downsize, relocate, reduce expenses, simplify responsibilities, or move into a home that better fits current needs. If finances, documents, and decision-making are in order and the motivation is clear, selling can be the right choice regardless of timing headlines.
When is the best time to sell your house
The best time to sell is when the seller is prepared emotionally, financially, and logistically. Being ready to gather documents, make repairs, respond to offers, and plan the next move matters more than waiting for a “perfect” moment. Selling is often smoother when it aligns with personal goals and readiness rather than external conditions.
Signs your house will sell fast
Homes tend to sell faster when paperwork is organized, the property is well maintained, pricing expectations are realistic, and the seller is responsive and decisive. Clear ownership records, recent maintenance, and a willingness to address buyer questions quickly can significantly reduce delays.
Worst time to sell a house
The worst time to sell is when the seller feels rushed, uncertain, or unprepared. Selling under financial strain, emotional stress, or without proper documentation can lead to poor decisions, delays, or unnecessary concessions. Waiting until responsibilities, expectations, and next steps are clear often leads to better outcomes.
Should I get my home appraised before selling
A pre-sale appraisal can be helpful if there is uncertainty about value, unique property features, or potential disputes among owners or heirs. While not always required, an appraisal can provide clarity, support pricing decisions, and help sellers feel more confident going into the process.