When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Georgia?
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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 preparing to sell your Georgia home, it pays to set yourself up for success — whether your goal is to earn top dollar or to secure a swift transaction. While partnering with a top local agent and preparing your home for the market are key steps, the timing of your listing can also play a significant role.
To help you identify the ideal moment to sell your Georgia home, we spoke with Howard Jefferson, a top-rated agent with more than 37 years of real estate experience. Jefferson also shares valuable advice and insider tips to help you attract serious buyers more quickly.
Georgia housing trends
According to Jefferson, sellers still have the upper hand in Georgia’s housing market, even with a few inventory shifts.
“I would say that even though inventory is increasing a little bit, it’s still a seller’s market,” Jefferson remarks.
On average, homes in Georgia remain on the market for about 50 days after being listed. Real estate professionals refer to this timeframe as days on market (DOM), which tracks the interval between a property’s listing and the signing of a contract. For context, the national DOM currently stands at 58 days.
The median price for homes in Georgia is approximately $375,000, reflecting a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year.
“In my opinion, the biggest reason there aren’t more homes on the market to meet demand is because sellers are still hesitant to give up the low interest rates they have on their current homes,” Jefferson says.
What does this mean for sellers? Because many homeowners are holding onto their low-rate mortgages, the supply of available homes remains limited, creating an opportunity for motivated sellers. However, strategic pricing and effective marketing are still more important than ever to help your property garner attention in the Georgia market.
When is the best time to sell a house in Georgia?
Although elevated interest rates and limited inventory are affecting the market, historically, Georgia experiences seasonal patterns where sales activity picks up during spring and early summer. This means the period from March through June typically offers the greatest opportunity to sell for top dollar. For sellers prioritizing a quick sale, the optimal time to list your home in the Peach State begins in April.
Since it normally takes 50 days to secure a buyer and approximately 41 days for the buyer’s financing to close, consider listing your property two to three months before the peak selling period.
“I would say April to June are the very best months to sell. Now, it’s not as cyclical where we are — I’m about 100 miles south of Atlanta. We don’t have snow or harsh winters, so the colder months don’t affect our ability to sell homes as much as they might in the Northeast,” Jefferson says. “That said, just like anywhere else, a lot of people prefer to move when the kids are out of school or after a child graduates from high school.”
Let’s examine transaction figures for the top cities in Georgia to identify the ideal time to sell your property, whether you want maximum profit or a quick sale.
Best times to sell a house in Atlanta
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | June | January | You could sell your house for 5.69% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | May | January | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Augusta
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | May | February | You could sell your house for 4.91% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | September | January | You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Macon
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | December | January | You could sell your house for 3.32% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | July | January | You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Savannah
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | November | January | You could sell your house for 10.71% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | August | January | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Athens
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | October | January | You could sell your house for 6.75% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | July | February | You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Sandy Springs
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | May | February | You could sell your house for 4.54% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | July | January | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Roswell
Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
Best time for higher price | July | February | You could sell your house for 6.28% more than the yearly average. |
Best time to sell fast | June | January | 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
“We also have a large military base here — I’m in Columbus, Georgia, home to Fort Benning — and most military relocations happen in the summer. So, particularly for us, April through June is when we see the most activity from military families looking to move,” Jefferson says.
For more detailed insights into the best times to sell in other areas, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
With this data as a foundation, you’ll be ready to consult with a top-performing real estate agent in Georgia who can provide tailored advice on the ideal month to list based on your neighborhood, unique situation, and current market conditions.
What’s the worst time to list a house in Georgia?
According to Jefferson, November through January are the slowest months for selling in Georgia. “It’s really just a lack of strong motivation. During that time, school is still in session, the weather isn’t great, and people just aren’t making as many moves — whether it’s corporate relocations or military transfers. Those things tend to happen more in the summertime,” Jefferson says.
Curious about your net proceeds? Try HomeLight’s complimentary Net Proceeds Calculator to estimate how much money you’ll walk away with when selling your home in Georgia.
What seller concessions help close a sale in Georgia?
To facilitate a successful sale, some sellers in Georgia are offering concessions or providing credits toward buyers’ loan costs.
“We’re not seeing nearly as many seller concessions as we used to, but when we do see them, they tend to go toward loan costs, and sometimes even include points to help buy the interest rate down a bit to make the purchase more affordable for the buyer,” says Jefferson.
Below are typical seller concessions and credits that can help enhance an offer and close the deal on your Georgia property:
- Paying a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Assisting with a limited-time mortgage interest rate reduction
- Providing a credit for repairs identified during inspection
- Covering the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal costs
- Paying the initial months of HOA dues, if applicable
- Offering to cover the commission fees for the buyer’s agent
- Pre-paying property taxes or homeowners insurance premiums for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in Georgia
As a leading real estate professional in Georgia, Jefferson excels at guiding sellers through the process, overcoming challenges regardless of market conditions or season.
Here are some of Jefferson’s expert tips to help you successfully sell your home:
1. Set the right price from day one
Setting an inflated price can cause listings to stagnate, prompting eventual price cuts. Developing a savvy pricing approach based on up-to-date comps (recent comparable sales) attracts buyer attention and encourages competitive bids early on.
2. Partner with a skilled agent
Select a knowledgeable real estate agent who knows the local market well and can assist with pricing, marketing, and negotiations. The ideal agent will effectively position your Peach State home to attract serious buyers. Data from HomeLight shows that the top 5% agents typically sell homes for 10% above average market prices.
3. Focus on essential repairs
“Buyers often overestimate the cost of making repairs or updates, so it’s better to go ahead and take care of those things in advance.” Address visible issues like dripping faucets, broken tiles, or peeling paint — buyers often interpret minor flaws as signs of bigger problems. Concentrate on repairs that offer good ROI and increase buyer trust. Experienced Georgia agents can also advise on which repairs to skip.
4. Declutter and neutralize the space
Clear away clutter by removing extra furniture, personal photographs, and decorative items to create a more spacious and appealing environment. A neutral setting lets buyers picture themselves living there more easily.
5. Boost curb appeal inside and out
“Make sure the home has curb appeal when someone pulls up, and that it feels move-in ready the moment they walk through the front door.” Well-maintained landscaping, a tidy exterior, and welcoming lighting enhance curb appeal and make a positive first impression in person. Professional photos and virtual walkthroughs help your online listing grab attention from the initial browsing.
6. Include a home warranty offer
Adding a home warranty can reassure buyers about potential repair expenses, especially for older properties in Georgia, and can also distinguish your listing from others on the market.
7. Be accommodating with showings
Maximizing your Georgia home’s availability for viewings often speeds up the sale process. Making your property accessible on weekends and evenings for showings can especially benefit buyers who are traveling or have busy schedules.
8. Utilize staging techniques
Homes that are staged generally sell more quickly and command higher prices, as staging helps buyers better visualize the space. Even partial or virtual staging can significantly enhance your listing’s appeal.
Answers to other Georgia home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in Georgia?
While some properties in Georgia may sell quickly, a quick sale is never guaranteed. If you need to sell your home promptly or cannot afford the time or expenses required for repairs, consider opting for an all-cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale service.
In just minutes, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale covers homes in nearly any condition in Georgia, allowing you to bypass repairs, staging, and showings and finalize the sale in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake Georgia home sellers make?
Jefferson points out that the main error home sellers often commit in Georgia is using low-quality photographs or not having the property in photography-ready shape before listing.
“Buyers today are browsing online first, and they’re quickly eliminating homes based on what they see in the photos. If the pictures show clutter, poor lighting, or things that just don’t look appealing, they might move right past that listing,” Jefferson says.
Find a top Georgia agent for a successful sale
The best time to sell a house in Georgia can differ depending on your goals. However, selling your home quickly and for a desirable price doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With reliable information, you can make smart choices and steer clear of common mistakes.
“I think some sellers believe that because homes are selling so quickly and for such high prices, they can just try to sell on their own without hiring a professional,” Jefferson says. “Without that competition, you usually don’t end up with as high a bottom-line price as you would if you had a professional helping you. That’s just my take.”
Partnering with a leading agent in your region means having an experienced guide by your side who can help you navigate a successful sale. Connect with 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 cutting-edge approach taps into 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 find out more.
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