When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Denver?
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Alexandra Lee Associate EditorCloseAlexandra Lee Associate Editor
Alexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.
If you’re planning to put your Denver property on the market, you’ll want to position yourself for either the highest return or the quickest sale. While selecting the right local agent and preparing your home for listing are critical steps, the timing of your listing can also play a significant role.
To assist you in identifying the optimal moment to sell a house in Denver, we connected with Kimberly Austin, a highly-rated agent with over 23 years of experience who works with over 85% more single-family homes than the average agent. Austin also provides professional advice and valuable insights to help you attract serious buyers more quickly.
Denver housing trends
According to Austin, the Denver housing market is shifting toward a buyer’s market, with rising inventory levels and more frequent price reductions than in previous years.
“Right now, I would describe it as more of a buyer’s market. I think there’s been more of a buyer-seller imbalance for a really long time,” Austin says. “It was a seller’s market. There weren’t a lot of homes on the market, but now we’re just seeing a little bit more of an imbalance.”
Properties in Denver tend to sell within about 37 days of being listed. In real estate, this timeframe is known as days on market (DOM), referring to the interval between listing a home and having a signed purchase agreement. Comparatively, the national DOM is currently 58 days.
The median price for homes in Denver stands near $670,000, marking a 3.6% decline over the past year.
“I would say that, for sure, interest rates are part of the trends that we’re seeing. We are noticing that we’re getting more price adjustments than we’ve seen in the past, and the sales volume is lower than it has been in the past as well,” Austin remarks.
What implications do these patterns hold for sellers? While motivated buyers are still active, setting the right price and showcasing your home effectively have become even more essential to make your Denver property stand out amid increased competition.
When is the best time to sell a house in Denver?
Although elevated interest rates and available inventory are currently impacting the market, Denver generally experiences seasonal patterns, with sales activity rising during the spring season. This indicates that April through June is the ideal period to sell your home to maximize your returns. If your primary goal is a quick sale, the optimal selling window begins in May.
Since it normally takes 37 days to secure a buyer and approximately 41 days for loan approval and closing, listing your property two to three months prior to the busiest selling period is advisable.
“I always tell people, the best time to sell a home in Colorado is honestly when they are ready to sell,” Austin says. “…the key is to focus on what works best for their personal goals, whether it be lifestyle, timeline, or not just trying to time the market because the market’s always moving. Whether it’s up or down, we can always help people navigate both sides to make it best for their move.”
Let’s analyze transaction figures for Denver and the surrounding areas to pinpoint the best selling period for your house, whether you’re aiming for maximum returns or a speedy sale.
Best times to sell a house in Denver
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | February | May | You could sell your house for 4.16% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | June | March | You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Wheat Ridge
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | February | May | You could sell your house for 6.41% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | February | May | You could sell your house 13 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Lakewood
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | April | July | You could sell your house for 5.57% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | February | May | You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Commerce City
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | August | November | You could sell your house for 5.80% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | February | May | You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Englewood
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 8.33% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | March | June | You could sell your house 10 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Arvada
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 2.24% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | February | May | You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Sherrelwood
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 5.77% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | January | April | You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
“The bottom line is, in Denver, the best time to sell is when buyers are most active. So, you’re going to see a higher volume of people in the spring and some in summer,” Austin says. “But I usually like to have people sell and buy properties when they’re ready to buy or sell.”
For more insights into home-selling trends in other locations, explore our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Using this data as your foundation, you’ll be better equipped to consult with a top-performing real estate agent in Denver who can offer tailored advice on the optimal month to put your home on the market, factoring in your neighborhood, circumstances, and local sales patterns.
What’s the worst time to list a house in Denver?
According to Austin, the worst time to sell a house in Denver is in the winter months or during the holiday season. “It does slow buyer activity because people are focused on their family, the holidays, and travel. There is less foot traffic, so I would usually suggest that if you’re going to sell your house, not to have it around the holidays for those reasons,” Austin advises.
Wondering about your potential earnings? Try HomeLight’s complimentary Net Proceeds Calculator to estimate how much you could make from selling your Denver property.
What seller concessions help close a sale in Denver?
To help finalize a sale and make their homes more appealing, Denver sellers often provide concessions or extend credits to purchasers. Austin notes that the most common incentive right now is rate buydowns.
“Sellers tend to pay points to lower a buyer’s mortgage, which will help a buyer have better affordability,” she says. “The second one would be repair credits — so instead of the seller making repairs, sellers are offering repair credits to buyers.”
Below are some typical seller concessions and credits you might consider to make your Denver home sale more attractive and help seal the deal:
- Assist with a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Put funds toward a short-term mortgage rate reduction
- Provide a credit to cover repairs discovered during the inspection
- Cover the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal costs
- Pay for the initial months of HOA dues, if relevant
- Cover the commission fees for the buyer’s real estate agent
- Prepay the property taxes or homeowners insurance for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in Denver
As a highly regarded agent in Denver, Austin possesses expert knowledge to guide home sellers through challenges and seasonal fluctuations to meet their selling goals.
Here are several of Austin’s expert recommendations for selling your home:
1. Set the right price upfront
“A lot of times, people will want to list their homes higher to maximize what they’re going to receive, but Denver buyers are a lot more savvy and price sensitive, especially with the higher inventory,” Austin says. Overpricing frequently causes listings to linger and forces price cuts. An effective pricing approach grounded in recent sales data (comparable listings) can generate strong early interest and competitive bids.
2. Hire a skilled agent
“Hire a top professional who’s willing to invest in quality photos and videos, because those are the first impressions that buyers see,” Austin recommends. A qualified agent understands how to position your Denver property for successful sale and can assist with pricing, marketing, and negotiations. According to HomeLight data, the top 5% of realtors consistently sell homes for 10% more than the average agent.
3. Complete necessary repairs
Address evident problems such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or peeling paint — buyers often worry minor faults might indicate bigger concerns. Concentrate on repairs that provide solid returns and enhance buyer confidence. A trusted Denver agent can also advise you on which fixes to skip.
4. Enhance physical and digital curb appeal
Well-maintained landscaping, a tidy exterior, and bright entryways establish curb appeal and leave a positive impression in person. Online, premium photos and virtual tours help your Denver listing stand out right from the first click.
5. Clear out and neutralize the space
“When buyers are coming through, it’s distracting if the home is cluttered or not clean,” Austin says. Eliminate clutter by removing extra furniture, personal images, and items to make areas appear more spacious and welcoming. A neutral and tidy home allows buyers to better envision living there.
6. Provide a home warranty
Offering a home warranty can reassure buyers about potential maintenance expenses, especially for older Denver homes. This can also help your listing grab attention in a crowded market.
7. Be accommodating with showing times
Making your home easily accessible to prospective buyers can speed up the selling process. Having evenings and weekends open for showings is particularly useful for buyers who work full-time or are relocating from out of town.
8. Think about staging your home
“Invest in professional staging. Staged homes usually sell faster and for more money, especially in competitive neighborhoods,” Austin advises. Even partial or virtual staging can elevate your listing’s appeal.
Answers to other Denver home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in Denver?
While some homes in Denver can sell quickly, a quick sale is never assured. If you require a speedy sale or lack the time and funds to handle necessary repairs, consider requesting an all-cash offer via HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.
In just minutes, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale offers cash proposals on properties in nearly any condition throughout Denver, allowing you to bypass preparations, open houses, and repairs and close in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake Denver home sellers make?
Austin points out that one of the most common errors sellers commit when listing a property in Denver is overpricing their homes.
“Listings can get stale, which means they’ll be overlooked on the Internet, and then sometimes sellers will get caught up in chasing the market. So they’ll just keep dropping the price and dropping the price, and if the market is not making enough of a difference, it could be costly for them to overprice it,” Austin warns.
Find a top Denver agent for a successful sale
Determining the ideal time to sell a house in Denver depends largely on your goals. However, getting your home sold faster and for a better price doesn’t need to be complicated. Equipped with accurate information, you can make smart choices and steer clear of common missteps.
“A real estate agent should be moving quite a bit of real estate to give sellers the actual advice that they need, especially in a shifting market,” Austin says. “Pricing the home right from the beginning, making sure that they don’t skip the staging or obtaining professional photos, not addressing obvious repairs upfront, being inflexible with showings — all of those details will make a big difference.”
Connecting with a leading agent in your region means having a reliable guide and partner to support you in securing a successful home sale. Find and reach out to a top agent today.
If you’re buying and selling a home at the same time, explore HomeLight’s innovative Buy Before You Sell program. This contemporary approach accesses your home equity to simplify the process. Submit a non-contingent offer on your next home and move only once. Watch this short video to learn more.
Header Image Source: (Aspen Metzger / Unsplash)