When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in New Jersey?
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Alexandra Lee Associate EditorClose
Alexandra Lee Associate EditorAlexandra 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 sell your house in New Jersey, you may be wondering how to set yourself up for success — whether that means maximizing your sale price or securing a quick closing. While selecting the right local agent and preparing your home for the market are critical steps, when you decide to list can also play a significant role in your outcome.
To help you determine the ideal time to sell a house in New Jersey, we consulted Alex Monaco, a highly rated agent who works with over 84% more single-family homes than the average New Jersey agent. Monaco also provides valuable expert advice to help you draw in committed buyers more efficiently.
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New Jersey housing trends
According to Monaco, New Jersey’s real estate market remains firmly a seller’s market, with limited inventory continuing to drive competition.
“It is definitely a seller’s market. We have very limited inventory — homes are selling over asking price, typically,” Monaco remarks.
New Jersey homes typically sell roughly 30 days from their listing date. This metric, known in the real estate industry as days on market (DOM), measures the timeframe from when a property is listed until a purchase agreement is signed. For context, the current national average DOM is 58 days.
The median sales price for homes across New Jersey stands at about $630,000, reflecting a 7.7% rise compared to last year.
“Interest rates are pretty high right now, being in the high sixes, and a lot of current homeowners have interest rates in the low threes or high twos. So they may want to sell or move, but it’s just not practical — they don’t want to give up that great interest rate and take on a much higher interest rate,” Monaco says. “For that reason, a lot of people who would be selling are not selling.”
What implications do these patterns hold for sellers? With fewer homes coming onto the market, demand from eager buyers remains high, putting sellers in a favorable position. However, accurate pricing and thoughtful presentation are still key in attracting the best offers in today’s rate–sensitive environment.
When is the best time to sell a house in New Jersey?
Despite the current influence of elevated interest rates and housing supply, New Jersey traditionally experiences seasonal patterns, with home sales rising during the late spring and summer. This means that the period from May through July tends to offer the most favorable conditions to sell for top dollar. If you prioritize a quick sale, the ideal time to put your house on the market in New Jersey begins in April.
Since it generally takes about 30 days to secure a buyer and roughly 41 days for a loan to close, listing your property two to three months before the prime selling season begins can be beneficial.
“We tend to have the most listings in the spring and summer. When the weather is warm, there are a lot more buyers out, but that also means you have more competition,” Monaco says. “Whereas you list in the winter, you’re going to have less buyers, but you have less listings to compete with. So they both have their pros and cons.”
Let’s review home sale data for some of the largest markets in New Jersey to identify the optimal time to sell your house — whether your goal is to maximize profit or close as quickly as possible.
Best times to sell a house in Newark
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | April | July | You could sell your house for 15.35% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 13 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Jersey City
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | July | October | You could sell your house for 10.13% 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. |
Best times to sell a house in Paterson
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | March | June | You could sell your house for 6.78% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 13 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Elizabeth
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 6.55% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | August | November | You could sell your house 15 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Edison
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | April | July | You could sell your house for 9.86% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 10 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
“You really can’t go wrong anytime between March through November. I’d say you’re going to be in a good spot. Then December comes, it starts to get cold again, we have the holidays — that can be a little bit of a tough time,” Monaco says.
To explore home-selling patterns in other cities, take a look at our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Starting with this data, you’ll be ready to consult a leading real estate agent in New Jersey who can provide customized advice on the best month to list your home, tailored to your area, situation, and local market dynamics.
What’s the worst time to list a house in New Jersey?
According to Monaco, the “worst” time to sell in New Jersey is during the back-to-school season, as buyers are distracted and hoping to be settled down before the school year starts again.
“Generally, the only times I recommend people to stay away from listing is when it’s smack in the holidays or mid-to-late August. A lot of people are getting ready to go back to school,” Monaco says.
Want to estimate your net proceeds? Use HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator to get an approximate figure of what you could earn when selling your home in New Jersey.
What seller concessions help close a sale in New Jersey?
Some sellers in New Jersey provide concessions or extend credits to buyers to help with affordability challenges — most commonly, around the home inspection or buyer’s agent commission.
“When buyers go to do their inspection, it’s almost inevitable they’re going to ask for something back. Sometimes they want repairs made, but a lot of times it’s just done in the form of a credit that the seller gives to the buyer at closing,” Monaco says. He also notes that most sellers continue to cover the buyer’s agent commission, despite the recent commission rule changes established by the National Association of Realtors.
Below are typical seller concessions and credits that may help you make your New Jersey home sale more attractive and close successfully:
- Assist with a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Provide funds toward a temporary mortgage interest rate reduction
- Give a repair allowance for issues discovered during the home inspection
- Cover the cost of the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal charges
- Pay for several months of HOA dues, when applicable
- Agree to cover the buyer’s agent commission
- Prepay annual property taxes or homeowner’s insurance premiums for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in New Jersey
As a highly regarded agent in New Jersey, Monaco specializes in guiding home sellers to reach their objectives, regardless of timing or current market challenges.
Below are Monaco’s expert recommendations for selling your home:
1. Partner with a skilled agent
“Of course, hiring a great real estate agent is absolutely essential,” says Monaco. “You really need someone who knows what they’re doing and is someone who does this full-time.” A knowledgeable local agent understands how to position your New Jersey property for an optimal sale. According to HomeLight’s data, the top 5% of agents sell homes for 10% more than average performers.
2. Set the right price from the beginning
Starting out with an inflated price can cause your listing to stagnate on the market and require price cuts later down the road. Utilizing a thoughtful pricing approach based on recent sales data (comparable properties) encourages early interest and competitive bids.
3. Address necessary repairs strategically
Fix visible problems such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or peeling paint — buyers often worry that small defects could indicate larger issues. Concentrate on repairs that offer a valuable return on your investment and instill confidence in buyers. A reliable New Jersey agent can also advise you on which repairs to skip.
4. Enhance both physical and digital curb appeal
A tidy exterior, fresh landscaping, and well-lit entryway can improve curb appeal and create a positive first impression for buyers touring the home. Meanwhile, high-quality photos and virtual tours can ensure your listing stands out online. “We always need to have professional photography and video with drone shots — it’s very important, because everyone’s looking online,” says Monaco.
5. Declutter and remove personal effects
“Declutter and depersonalize are the two biggest things we recommend to our clients,” Monaco says. “We want to minimize the stuff that we have around and keep it neutral so that people can envision their stuff being in there.” Clear away clutter by removing extra furnishings, family pictures, and various knick-knacks to make spaces appear larger and more inviting.
6. Provide a home warranty
Offering a home warranty can provide reassurance regarding future repair costs, especially for older properties in New Jersey. Plus, it can further differentiate your listing when competition is strong.
7. Stay flexible with showing times
Making your home easily accessible to prospective buyers can lead to a quicker sale. Opening availability for showings during evenings and weekends is particularly helpful for buyers from out of town or those with busy work schedules.
8. Think about staging
Staged homes typically sell faster and for a higher price, as staging helps buyers picture themselves living in the space. Even partial or virtual staging can significantly boost your listing’s appeal. “Maybe it’s just a consultation where they give you tips that you can do, maybe they help you move furniture around, maybe they just add accessories — there are a lot of things that staging can do for you for any different type of home,” Monaco adds.
Partner With a Proven Top New Jersey Agent
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Answers to other New Jersey home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in New Jersey?
While some homes in New Jersey may sell quickly, there’s no guarantee of a speedy sale. If you’re in need of an expedited home sale or lack the time and resources to complete necessary repairs, consider requesting an all-cash offer from HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.
In just a few moments, you’ll fill out a brief questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale provides cash offers for homes in nearly any condition across New Jersey, allowing you to bypass home prep, repairs, and open houses, and close in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake New Jersey home sellers make?
Monaco points out that the most common error sellers make when putting their New Jersey home on the market is hiring an agent who lacks experience or tries to cut corners.
“You can always tell right away when the agent saved money on photography by just taking the photos with their iPhone. There’s a tremendous difference between doing it with your cellphone and having a professional photographer come in and do it, and it’s not a small thing. Making that mistake can cause you to lose tens of thousands of dollars on your home,” Monaco warns. “So, I would say hiring an inexperienced real estate agent would be the biggest mistake that I see.”
Find a top New Jersey agent for a successful sale
Determining the right time to list your home in New Jersey depends on your individual needs and timeline. However, achieving a quick sale at a high price doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Armed with the right knowledge, you can make smart decisions and steer clear of common seller mistakes.
Partnering with a knowledgeable local agent means having a reliable expert in your corner to guide you toward a successful sale. Find a top agent near you 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 option lets you tap into your home’s equity to simplify the process. Submit a non-contingent offer on your next home and move only once. Watch this brief video for more details.
Header Image Source: (Jan Walter Luigi / Unsplash)
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