When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Pittsburgh?
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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 preparing to list your Pittsburgh property, you’re likely seeking the best ways to position yourself for success — whether that means securing the highest sale price or achieving a quick closing. While selecting the right local agent and preparing your home for the market are key steps, choosing the optimal moment to list your home can also impact your outcome.
To guide you on the best time to sell a home in Pittsburgh, we connected with Adam Slivka, a highly-rated local agent and single-family homes expert who has over 19 years of real estate experience. Slivka provides expert advice and practical tips to help you attract committed buyers more quickly.
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Pittsburgh housing trends
According to Slivka, unlike the rest of the country, Pittsburgh’s real estate market still has sellers in the driver’s seat. However, some areas within the city are moving toward equilibrium, seeing heightened inventory levels.
“Overall, the Pittsburgh market is still a seller’s market with roughly 2.6 months of inventory. Some markets within the metro, by location or price point, are transitioning, though. For example, Imperial, PA, is closer to 6 months of inventory, putting it on the edge of being a buyer’s market,” Slivka says.
Pittsburgh properties generally remain on the market for about 51 days before selling. This timeframe, known in the industry as days on market (DOM), measures the duration from listing to signing a purchase agreement. By comparison, the national average DOM is currently 58 days.
The median home price in Pittsburgh is approximately $265,000, reflecting a 3.6% decline compared to last year. According to Slivka, the main market change impacting Pittsburgh home sales is high interest rates, as well as the fact that many areas still lack adequate inventory.
What does this mean for sellers? Even with buyer demand, high interest rates remain a hurdle, and limited inventory continues to shape the market. For Pittsburgh sellers, this means that competitively priced, well-presented homes are still in demand and can stand out despite affordability challenges.
When is the best time to sell a house in Pittsburgh?
Though rising interest rates and available listings are currently impacting the market, Pittsburgh typically experiences seasonal cycles where sales volume picks up during the spring. This means the prime months to sell for maximum returns are usually February through May. If your main goal is a quick sale, the optimal window to put your Pittsburgh home on the market begins in June.
Because it generally takes 51 days to secure a buyer and another 41 days to finalize financing, it’s wise to list your property two to three months ahead of the busiest selling period.
“In Pittsburgh, generally early to late spring has some of the shortest days on market, typically due to an increase in buyer demand,” says Slivka.
We’ll now examine sales data for Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas to identify the ideal times for selling your home, whether your focus is on securing the highest price or selling swiftly.
Best times to sell a house in Pittsburgh
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | February | May | You could sell your house for 5.44% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | June | September | You could sell your house 10 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Brentwood
| 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 | June | September | You could sell your house 16 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Munhall
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | September | December | You could sell your house for 8.73% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | September | December | You could sell your house 12 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Bethel Park
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | April | July | You could sell your house for 7.32% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | May | August | You could sell your house 12 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in West Mifflin
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | May | August | You could sell your house for 6.61% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | May | August | You could sell your house 12 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
“The biggest impact on the best time to sell tends to be weather. Winters that typically have heavier snowfall generally correlate to less buyer demand. Even springtime, where the weather is late in warming up, generally corresponds to less market activity or delayed activity,” Slivka remarks.
For additional insights on the best time to sell in other cities, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator page.
With this knowledge as your starting point, you’ll be ready to connect with a top-performing real estate professional in Pittsburgh who can offer advice tailored to your neighborhood, personal circumstances, and current market conditions.
What’s the worst time to list a house in Pittsburgh?
According to Slivka, the worst time to sell a house in Pittsburgh falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas. “Demand tends to be lowest during this time of year, though not non-existent,” he says.
Wondering about your net proceeds? Try HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator to estimate how much you could earn selling your $230,000 Pittsburgh property.
What seller concessions help close a sale in Pittsburgh?
To facilitate closing a deal, sellers in Pittsburgh sometimes offer concessions or provide credits to potential buyers. These perks can differ based on current market conditions and the individual buyer’s needs.
“Some of the most common seller concessions are paying the buyer’s agent commission or a good portion of it. Home warranties tend to be a common ask by buyers as well,” says Slivka.
Below are popular seller concessions and credits you might want to use to enhance a deal and successfully close the sale of your Pittsburgh property:
- Pay a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Help finance a temporary mortgage interest rate reduction
- Provide a credit for repairs to resolve inspection findings
- Cover the cost for the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal fees
- Subsidize the initial months of HOA fees, if applicable
- Pay the commission fees for the buyer’s real estate agent
- Prepay property taxes or homeowners insurance for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in Pittsburgh
As a highly regarded agent in Pittsburgh, Slivka has a wealth of experience assisting home sellers in reaching their objectives, regardless of challenges or seasons.
Here are some expert strategies from Slivka to successfully market your home:
1. Partner with an exceptional agent
“First, find a strong agent who understands the market and specifically the demand in the area. They will help you price the property correctly,” Slivka suggests. A skilled local agent can assist with pricing, promotion, and negotiations. According to HomeLight’s data, the top 5% of real estate agents typically sell homes for 10% more than average agents.
2. Set the right price from the beginning
Listing your home too high can lead to stagnation and price cuts. Implementing a smart pricing approach based on recent sales data (comparable property sales) can generate early interest and invite competitive offers.
3. Prioritize essential repairs
Address visible problems such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or chipped paint—buyers may see minor flaws as indicators of bigger issues. Concentrate on repairs that provide good value and enhance buyer assurance. A knowledgeable Pittsburgh agent can also advise on what repairs to skip.
4. Boost curb appeal with physical and digital efforts
Well-maintained landscaping, a spotless exterior, and welcoming lighting create curb appeal that leaves a positive impression in person. Additionally, professional photos and virtual tours can help your Pittsburgh listing stand out online.
5. Clear clutter and remove personal touches
“Prepping the house is important, even if in most cases that involves decluttering and cleaning the home. In certain areas or price points, updates are more important than others,” says Slivka. Clearing out clutter by removing extra furniture, personal photographs, and decorations makes rooms appear larger and more inviting, allowing buyers to better imagine themselves living there.
6. Provide a home warranty
Offering a home warranty can reassure buyers about potential repair expenses, especially for older homes in Pittsburgh. It can also differentiate your listing in a competitive market.
7. Stay flexible with showing times
Being accommodating with potential buyers to view your home can speed up the sale process. Offering weekend and evening showing options is particularly helpful for out-of-town buyers or those with busy schedules.
8. Think about staging your home
Homes that are staged generally sell faster and at higher prices because they enable buyers to better visualize living spaces. Even partial or virtual staging can increase your listing’s appeal and attract a higher sales price.
Connect With a Top Agent to Sell Your Pittsburgh Home
It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property and how soon you’re looking to sell.
Our data shows the top 5% of agents across the U.S. help clients sell their home for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.
Answers to other Pittsburgh home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in Pittsburgh?
While certain properties in Pittsburgh may sell quickly, a rapid sale isn’t always guaranteed. If you need an expedited home sale or lack the time or resources to complete necessary repairs, think about obtaining an all-cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.
In just minutes, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and get a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Simple Sale provides cash offers on homes in nearly any condition across Pittsburgh, allowing you to bypass staging, open houses, and repairs, and close in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake Pittsburgh home sellers make?
Slivka highlights that the most common error sellers encounter when listing on the market in Pittsburgh is overpricing their home, and then planning to cut the price if it doesn’t get their desired level of engagement right away.
“Generally, the most activity and eyes are on the listing in the first few weeks, so listing too high initially tends to lead to longer days on market and ultimately a lower sales price,” Slivka warns.
Find a top Pittsburgh agent for a successful sale
The ideal time to sell a house in Pittsburgh depends on your goals. However, making sure your property sells quickly and for a higher price doesn’t have to be complicated. With proper guidance, you can make smart choices and steer clear of common mistakes.
As parting advice, Slivka urges sellers to steer away from discount agents in hopes of cutting back on commission costs. “In most cases, the cheapest agent is the cheapest agent because they are not good at what they do. Negotiations, in addition to marketing, are both of critical importance. An agent who has an insufficient budget or is a weak negotiator can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, far surpassing your savings on the commission,” he says.
Partnering with a leading agent in your neighborhood ensures you have a knowledgeable advisor to guide you toward a successful sale. Connect with a top agent today.
If you’re buying and selling a home at the same time, explore HomeLight’s groundbreaking Buy Before You Sell program. This innovative option leverages your home equity to simplify your transaction. Submit a non-contingent offer on your next home and move only once. Check out this short video to find out more.
Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr / Unsplash)
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