When Is the Best Time To Encourage Clients To List?

Listing early means less competition for your clients, allowing them to sell for a better price without costly repairs.

One of the most important questions I get from clients: When’s the perfect time to list your home? When should you bring your listing to the market so you can maximize your sales price and have the smoothest process possible? 

It’s a timely question because if you’re like many people here in Alaska, you might be thinking, “Winter? Are you serious?” It’s dark and cold, and honestly, they say, “Let’s just wait until May.” But the problem is that’s exactly what everybody else thinks, leading to an influx of sellers when spring arrives. Here’s how I usually handle the situation:

Inform, don’t push. As an agent, my role is to provide information, not to decide for my clients. I help them understand their options to make the best choice for their family. I'm not here to persuade anyone; I simply share what I know. If I don’t share this info, they might end up waiting until summer like many others, and that isn't always the best move.

Tell them the benefits of listing now. Listing now means facing much less competition than in the summer, and waiting until May means competing with everyone else in the neighborhood, leading to lower offers and longer selling times. 

Plus, by listing now, they might not need to do all those repairs they've been putting off since buyers are more likely to overlook minor issues when options are limited. This could help them sell their home for a higher price before spring brings more competition.

“Educate your clients on the best time to sell with the latest market data.”

Use visual aids like graphs to educate clients. A simple but effective tip is to show my clients a graph comparing the number of homes on the market now versus how many typically come up in May. We use data from 2023, 2024, and this year to show that the winter market is much quieter than summer.

I also share this advice with clients: If it makes sense for you and your family, list your home now. Don’t wait until May when the competition heats up. Take advantage of the fewer homes for sale right now. You’ll stand out to buyers, might skip some expensive repairs, and could even end up with a bigger paycheck.
Have you ever considered listing in the winter?

If you need more guidance, I’m here to help. Call us at (907) 354-8307 if you’re calling from Alaska, (208) 755-7283 for Idaho and for our Washington office. You can also email info@rmgrealestate.com. I look forward to hearing from you!