What Is the Average Time to Sell a House in Houston?

What is the best time to sell a house in Houston?

The seasonality of real estate is a major factor that can have a big impact on the length of time it takes to sell a home and the final sale price.

• Best time for more money: Based on HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator’s transaction data, December is the most favorable month if you aim to get more money for your Houston home. It typically takes about three months to close on your home, so listing your Houston property in December could result in a sale price that’s 4% higher than the yearly average.
• Best time to sell fast: If your priority is to sell your Houston house fast, our data indicates that the quickest home sales occur in August. Listing your house in August could help you close the sale three days sooner than in any other month, given the usual three-month period from listing to closing.

Keck says that for Houston, it primarily depends on the micro-markets, as timing can fluctuate significantly.

“In neighborhoods with really good public schools, we will see the market sort of be hot between April and July or August. Those are honestly the best times. Spring in Houston is a beautiful time of year. The lawns typically look nicer and that kind of thing, but we also see more houses come on the market after usually, like Labor Day or June 1, when school gets out,” she says.

“The houses that usually go under contract in April, May, and early June will usually go under contract fairly quickly, like two or three days. The reason for that is the buyers looking in those time pockets are generally highly motivated — they have to move, and they have a timeframe, and they might be relocating or something like that,” she adds.

Remember, these are averages and trends that can help guide your decision, but individual outcomes can vary. Want to get a personalized estimate for the best time to sell your home? Use our Best Time to Sell Calculator for insights tailored to your specific location.

What factors influence the home-selling timeline?

When it comes to selling a house, several factors can impact how quickly it sells. These range from the home’s specific attributes to broader market trends and the pricing strategy you employ.

Understanding these factors can help you anticipate potential challenges and formulate a more effective sales strategy. If your home has some of these less desirable attributes, consider how you can mitigate their impact, such as staging the house creatively or highlighting other appealing aspects of the property.

“Neighborhoods where the public schools are not very good will be harder to sell,” says Keck. 

“And as far as features, it depends again on the micro-market, but it’s kind of all over. In the high-end luxury market, I’m seeing people gravitate towards lots of nicer outdoor spaces, like a dirty kitchen or a scullery kitchen, wine chillers — like built-in, really nice glass-enclosed, cooled wine rooms are kind of really high-end,” she adds. 

She adds that in markets like Cinco Ranch, for example, golf courses are a hot commodity for current and would-be residents. 

What will help my Houston house sell faster?

To maximize the chances of a fast home sale, you’ll want to highlight the most appealing features of your property and align your selling strategy with the preferences of Houston-area buyers. Here’s a list of tips to help your Houston house sell faster:

• Emphasize desirable features: If your home has desirable features that Houston buyers often seek, such as a pool, a large yard, an open kitchen, or proximity to highly-rated schools, make sure these are highlighted in your listing.
• Minimize the downsides: If your home has small bedrooms or sits next to a busy street, consider strategies to mitigate these less desirable features. For instance, you could use creative staging to make smaller rooms appear larger or invest in window upgrades to minimize traffic noise.
• Use home staging: A well-staged home can help potential buyers visualize living in the space and can often lead to quicker sales and higher selling prices.
• Price it right: An overpriced home can sit on the market longer, so ensure your home is priced competitively based on recent sales of comparable homes in your area. Your agent can provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA), a report that informs your pricing strategy as it takes into account factors like property location, size, condition, and current market trends.
• Consider energy efficiency upgrades: In Houston’s hot climate, homes with energy-efficient features can be especially appealing to buyers. These could include solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, or high-efficiency HVAC systems.

Keck says that pricing and staging are some of the most important things sellers can do, particularly when it comes to pricing the home right the first time. 

“When [sellers] overprice their home, what they’re actually doing is making other properties look better and sell faster. Then, their house sits there for a month, two months, three months, and then it loses its appeal. People start asking, “What’s wrong with it?” and might even stop looking at it altogether,” she warns. 

“Also, I think staging is a big deal. Obviously, with a vacant house, we can stage it, make it look more enticing and appealing, and sort of fix rooms that might be functionally obsolete. We can stage them and show people what they could do with the room or a space that might not be obvious at first glance,” she says. 

Keck adds that additionally, if homeowners are still living in the home as they are trying to sell it, decluttering and depersonalizing the property can go a long way to helping prospective buyers imagine the home as “theirs.” 

“Open up the potential for buyers to see their furniture and their style of living in this house,” she suggests. 

Remember, what works best for your home sale will depend on your particular property and circumstances. Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent can be a big help in formulating an effective selling strategy.

How should I prepare my Houston house to sell?

Preparing your house for sale is crucial to attracting buyers and achieving a fast, profitable sale. Here’s a list of preparation tips when selling your Houston home:

• Deep clean: A clean house gives buyers a positive first impression and signals that the home has been well-maintained.
• Declutter: Free up space to make your home appear larger and allow buyers to envision their own belongings in the house.
• Apply fresh paint: A fresh coat of paint can make a home feel new and inviting. Choose neutral colors that appeal to a wide range of buyers.
• Address repairs: Fix any minor issues, like leaky faucets or chipped paint, to keep buyers from using them as an excuse to negotiate the price down.
• Enhance curb appeal: To attract more buyers, improve the home’s exterior with well-maintained landscaping, freshly painted doors, or new outdoor lighting.
• Stage the home: Home staging can help buyers visualize living in the house. This can include arranging furniture or adding decor to enhance the home’s appeal. From staging only the key rooms to renting a few statement pieces, there are many ways to reduce home staging costs.
• Tidy up outdoor living spaces: In the Houston area, outdoor living spaces like patios and pools are highly desirable. Make sure these areas are clean, inviting, and well-lit for evening viewings.
• Service the cooling systems: Ensure your AC unit is serviced and working optimally, as buyers will likely check this in Houston’s high temperatures.

Remember, each house will have unique preparation needs. A local real estate agent can give advice that is best suited for your property.

How can I decide when to sell my Houston house?

Deciding when to sell your house can be a complex process that involves taking into account a variety of factors. This could include personal circumstances, market trends, and the specific attributes of your home. Here are some steps to help you make this important decision:

1. Evaluate your personal and financial situation: Consider why you’re selling and whether now is the right time based on your personal and financial circumstances. Do you need to relocate for a job? Are you looking to downsize or upsize? Do you need the funds from the sale for another investment? Your answers to these questions can provide valuable guidance.
2. Understand the market: Research the current real estate market conditions in Houston. Are homes selling quickly? Are prices rising or falling? A local real estate agent can provide insights into these trends and help you understand what they might mean for your sale.
3. Analyze your home’s readiness: Consider the condition of your house. If it needs significant repairs or updates, it might be worth delaying the sale until these tasks are complete.
4. Use available tools: Utilize tools like HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator, Home Value Estimator, and Net Proceeds Calculator to get personalized estimates to help plan your home sale.
5. Consult a professional: A top local real estate agent can offer invaluable advice tailored to your specific home and situation. They can provide insights into local market conditions, help you understand how your home compares to others on the market, and guide you through the selling process.

How can I sell my Houston home fast for cash?

There may be circumstances where you need to sell your Houston home quickly and are willing to accept a cash offer to expedite the process. While a cash offer will typically mean accepting a discounted purchase price, the speed and convenience may be the solution you need if you are relocating for a job, dealing with financial difficulties, or managing an inherited property that you can’t maintain.

While you could reach out to individual house-buying companies or look for “We Buy Houses” websites, there’s an easier and more efficient way to sell your house for cash — through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.

Simple Sale connects you to one of the largest networks of cash buyers in the U.S., streamlining your home sale process and letting you control your move-out date. 

By answering a few questions about your home and selling plans, you can receive an all-cash offer with no obligation in as little as 24 hours. This means you could close on your Houston home sale in as few as 10 days.

Ready to sell your Houston home?

Selling your Houston house can be a significant undertaking, but knowing the average time it takes to sell and the factors that can speed up the process can give you a competitive edge. By preparing your house effectively, pricing it right, and timing your sale, you can optimize the selling process and potentially achieve a faster sale and a better price.

While you might be tempted to skip working with an agent and sell your home on your own, it’s important to know that you might walk away with less money overall. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes sold for-sale-by-owner typically sell for around $55,000 less than homes sold by agents.

Keck says that a trusted professional can do a lot to help you sell your home, as FSBO sellers sometimes get in over their head by the amount of work required when selling a home.

“You don’t know what you don’t know, okay? And you wouldn’t represent yourself in court when someone else has a team of lawyers that have been studying and practicing and have twenty years’ experience. That’s a really bad idea. That’s a bad recipe,” she cautions.

Keck adds that in addition to the stigma surrounding FSBO sellers, there’s the potential for legal hiccups, as these sellers aren’t usually versed in the technical and legal aspects of real estate, which can open them up to problems later down the road.

“A couple of years ago, we saw a rise in FSBOs. However, we also saw an increase in lawsuits and litigation because people were writing these contracts and thought the wording meant one thing, but it actually meant another. Then they got into lawsuits and disagreements. When that happens, the house sometimes can’t be sold because it’s involved in a lawsuit, which can be a really bad thing for families that ultimately need to move or sell,” she says.

If you’re considering selling your house in Houston, it’s a good idea to get expert advice tailored to your specific situation.

“The better thing to do instead of going FSBO is to contact the best agent for your neighborhood and say, ‘Here’s our situation. Can you help us out on the commission?’ Agents can work on commission. They don’t like to, but we can definitely work things out. Agents also have other ideas about how you could sell your house that you wouldn’t even know about if you’re not a professional realtor,” she says.

HomeLight can connect you to top-performing local agents who have a track record of selling homes quickly and for the best price. These agents can provide valuable insights into the Houston market and guide you through each step of the selling process.

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