Anecdotally speaking, most people would suggest the Spring is the best time to sell. After a long winter, buyers and sellers generally break their hibernation in relatively huge numbers. Indeed, East Gwillimbury’s sales results historically would support this: since 2018, the total sales in April, May, and June are, on average, over 23% higher than in September, October, and November. Indeed, Spring is super busy.       

But this doesn’t tell the whole story. Looking a bit closer at the historical numbers, we notice that sellers benefit from slightly less competition. Again, in each year since 2018, the number of homes entering the market in September, October, and November was lower than in April, May, and June of the same year, but the corresponding sales activity didn’t drop as much. In other words, more of the homes that were available for sale in the Fall actually sold.                        

So, what is it that makes these months a good time to sell?                        

First of all, the pool of active buyers in the Fall is perhaps more focused on and committed to buying a home than perhaps any other time of year because there are generally not as many things going on to distract them.                        

The winter months cause people to withdraw indoors since not as many people are interested in trudging through a foot of snow and repeatedly putting on and taking off boots and coats. In addition, potential buyers are aware that there could be “surprises” hidden beneath that beautiful layer of soft fluffy white stuff. Therefore, they tend to be a little more cautious and hesitant.                       

Then, by the time Spring arrives, people are busy getting the school year wrapped up and are already looking forward to the multitude of outdoor family activities, sports, events, and festivals that start up. Sure, the market is also very busy during these months and that naturally causes a certain level of activity. However, with everything else going on, it’s easy for buyers to float in and out of the action.

As Summer comes along, vacations, relaxation and leisure become the primary focus. With the kids off for the summer, it’s obviously quite common for families to reconnect with each other by packing up the car and taking some time away from home. Their days are filled with activities, sightseeing, and other family fun. Typically, the last thing parents want to do is drag their kids around from house to house.         

But in the Fall, there is generally not as much other stuff to occupy a buyer’s attention after school starts and the daily routine is settled into. This allows buyers to really focus on what they feel is a successful home purchase and develop a plan of how to get there.                        

Also, the weather is generally still nice enough to not deter people from being out and about. In fact, the sights and smells of the outdoors in these later months can actually add to the curb appeal of homes on the market. Plants, shrubs, trees, and grass can become a little withered and brownish during the hot, dry summer, but as the days get cooler, there’s a resurgence of their vibrant colours and natural beauty for a while until the winter dormancy returns.                       

And if there is a bit of a chill in the air, it takes very little effort for sellers to create a warm and inviting coziness for when people walk through the front door. Perhaps more than any other time of year, sellers are able to tap into several of the buyers’ senses to create an overwhelming feeling of desire for their home.                       

So, if homeowners are interested in entering the Fall market, they should move quickly to get their home show-ready and capitalize on the willingness of these serious Fall buyers. But it should never be done by blindly rushing ahead without proper planning. Sometimes, the little things could make the difference between achieving a smooth and swift sale or causing the home to sit unsold and stale as the Christmas Holiday season approaches.                   

Lee Lander is the Owner & Broker of Record of Lander Realty Inc. and has lived in East Gwillimbury for over 25 years. She’s become the go-to local market expert: nobody knows EG Real Estate like Lee because nobody buys and sells more homes in EG as Lee. Reach out at Lee@LeeLander.com.