When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Scottsdale?
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- 9 min read
- Cheyenne Wiseman Associate EditorCloseCheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor
Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.
If you’re getting ready to sell your Scottsdale home, you’re probably aiming for one of two things: the best possible price or a faster, smoother closing. Choosing the right local agent and prepping your home both matter, but when you list can influence your results just as much.
To help you pinpoint the best time to sell a house in Scottsdale, we spoke with Don Matheson — a top local agent who works on far more single-family homes than the average pro in his market. He shares practical insights and strategies to help your home stand out and attract serious buyers sooner.
Scottsdale housing trends
Matheson notes that Scottsdale’s market has settled into a steady pace. “I’d say right now, the market is more of a balanced market at the moment.” He explains that Scottsdale experiences clear seasonal shifts — activity softens in the summer as many residents travel, and momentum builds again as cooler weather returns. Buyers who remain active during slower months, he notes, are often the most motivated.
Properties in Scottsdale generally sell in approximately 88 days from the day they’re listed. This timeframe, known in the industry as days on market (DOM), measures the span from the listing date until a contract is signed. By comparison, the national DOM currently stands at about 63 days.
The median price of homes in Scottsdale is approximately $1,181,250, representing a 6.4% year-over-year increase.
“I think interest rates and the stock market have a mindset effect on people. Interest rates are not necessarily a driving factor. I think it’s more of a mindset. The interest rates are now down under 6.5%, and the stock market is fluctuating around an all-time high,” says Matheson.
For sellers, that means motivated buyers are present, but thoughtful pricing and strong presentation remain important as inventory grows.
When is the best time to sell a house in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale generally experiences seasonal patterns where sales activity increases during the spring and fall. The period from January to April offers the best window to sell your home for the highest returns. If your priority is a quick sale, the best time to sell a house in Scottsdale begins in August.
Since it generally takes 88 days to secure a buyer and about 40 days for the buyer’s financing to finalize, you may want to place your home on the market two or three months ahead of the prime selling period.
Let’s examine local sales data to determine the best time to sell a house in Scottsdale, whether your goal is to maximize profit or sell fast.
Best times to sell a house in Scottsdale
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | January | April | You could sell your house for 3.21% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | August | November | You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Tempe
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | July | October | You could sell your house for 3.65% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 5 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Phoenix
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | September | December | You could sell your house for 2.48% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | July | October | You could sell your house 3 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Gilbert
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | August | November | You could sell your house for 3.07% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | April | July | You could sell your house 4 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Chandler
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | September | December | You could sell your house for 2.11% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | March | June | You could sell your house 5 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Fountain Hills
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | January | April | You could sell your house for 4.51% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | August | November | You could sell your house 13 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
Best times to sell a house in Paradise Valley
| Selling objective | List month | Close month | Benefit |
| Best time for higher price | January | April | You could sell your house for 6.61% more than the yearly average. |
| Best time to sell fast | November | February | You could sell your house 15 days sooner than if listed in other months. |
All tables are based on historical home sales data, 2014-2024
For insights on home-selling patterns in other cities, explore our Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Using this data, you’ll be well-equipped to consult with a top-performing local agent who can offer tailored advice on the best time to sell a house in Scottsdale — taking into account your neighborhood, personal circumstances, and current local trends.
What’s the worst time to list a house in Scottsdale?
According to Matheson, there is no worst time to sell a house in Scottsdale. “I’m finding more people are having their home in Scottsdale as a year-round residence. And they travel in the summer, but their principal residence is in Scottsdale or Arizona.”
While activity can ease up during the summer and around the holidays, he notes that qualified buyers are still out there. “You’re going to see buyers come out of the woodwork if the property is well presented, well marketed, well staged, and well priced.”
Wondering about your net earnings? Try HomeLight’s free Net Proceeds Calculator to estimate how much you could earn from selling your home in Scottsdale.
What seller concessions help close a sale in Scottsdale?
To help close sales, Scottsdale homeowners are offering concessions or extending credits to buyers. “Repair credits are very common, and sometimes some of the sellers will go ahead and do those repairs,” says Matheson.
Here are some common seller concessions and credits that can help strengthen your offer:
- Pay a portion of the buyer’s closing expenses
- Assist with a temporary mortgage interest rate reduction
- Provide a credit to cover repairs identified during the inspection
- Foot the bill for the buyer’s home inspection or appraisal costs
- Cover initial HOA fees for the first few months, if relevant
- Agree to pay the commission for the buyer’s real estate agent
- Prepay property taxes or homeowner’s insurance for the first year
Insider tips to help sell your house in Scottsdale
As a highly rated Scottsdale real estate professional, Matheson specializes in guiding sellers toward success, regardless of seasonal challenges.
“I think one really important thing is making sure that the agent you choose has great resources at hand, whether it’s a plumber, electrician, landscapers, or painters,” he advises.
Here are a few more of Matheson’s insider recommendations for selling your home:
1. Set the right price initially
Starting with an accurate price prevents the listing from stagnating and avoids price drops. “Sellers should think about how their value measures up to their neighborhood and really be diligent about being realistic,” says Matheson. “A lot of times, people put their homes on the market because they need this price or they want this price.”
An informed pricing approach that uses recent sales data (comparable home sales) can generate strong buyer interest and competitive bidding.
2. Partner with a skilled agent
Choose a knowledgeable local agent familiar with your market who can provide guidance on pricing, marketing, and negotiations. The right professional can strategically position your Scottsdale property to secure a favorable sale. According to HomeLight’s statistics, the top 5% of agents sell homes for 10% more than average agents.
“Home sellers should look at the background of the agent, what they bring to the party, how they’re going to communicate, how they’re going to follow up, and how they’re going to market that property to get the widest exposure, because the more exposure you have, the greater price you’re going to get,” Matheson advises.
3. Address necessary repairs
Fix visible problems such as dripping faucets, broken tiles, or chipped paint — because buyers often view minor issues as indicators of bigger ones. Prioritize repairs that offer a good return and increase buyer confidence. A skilled Scottsdale agent can also advise on repairs that aren’t worth tackling.
4. Boost curb appeal both physically and online
Enhance your home’s exterior with tidy landscaping, a spotless façade, and welcoming lighting to improve curb appeal and create a positive first impression for in-person visitors. For online marketing, use professional photos and virtual tours to help your Scottsdale listing stand out as buyers browse.
5. Clear out and neutralize your space
Remove excess items like bulky furniture, personal images, and decorations to open up rooms and make them more inviting. Neutral, clean spaces allow buyers to better envision themselves living there.
6. Provide a home warranty
Offering a home warranty can reassure buyers by covering unexpected repairs, particularly for older Scottsdale homes. It also helps your home stand out in competitive markets.
7. Be accommodating with showings
The more opportunities buyers have to see your home, the faster it’s likely to sell. Being open to showings during evenings and weekends is especially helpful for out-of-town buyers or those with demanding schedules.
8. Think about staging
Staging your home helps buyers picture the space’s potential. Even limited or virtual staging can boost your listing’s attractiveness and help it sell faster. “We find that if a home is professionally staged, the price you’re going to get for that home is definitely going to be better on the resale market,” explains Matheson.
Answers to other Scottsdale home-selling questions
What if I need a fast sale and closing in Scottsdale?
While some Scottsdale homes go under contract quickly, timing is never guaranteed. If you need to move fast or can’t take on repairs, you may want to explore 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 provides cash offers for homes in nearly any condition in Scottsdale, allowing you to bypass staging, showings, and repair work, with closings possible in as little as 7 days.
What is the biggest mistake Scottsdale home sellers make?
Matheson notes that the biggest mistake sellers make when putting their Scottsdale home on the market is choosing the wrong agent. “They just picked the first agent because, ‘Oh, I know them. They’re a nice person,’ or ‘We bought the home with them.’ Well, what most home sellers don’t understand is that there’s a different skill set between a buyer’s agent and a selling agent or a listing agent.”
Matheson explains that many listings end up canceled or expired simply because sellers didn’t take the time to thoroughly vet the agent they hired — a critical step when you’re trusting someone with one of your largest assets.
Find a top Scottsdale agent for a successful sale
Determining the best time to sell a house in Scottsdale depends on your goals. However, positioning your property to sell faster and at a better price doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right guidance, you can make smart choices and avoid common mistakes.
Partnering with a leading agent in your community ensures you have a reliable expert to support 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 forward-thinking option unlocks your home equity to simplify the transaction. Submit a non-contingent offer on your next house and move only once. Watch this short video to find out more.
Header Image Source: (Parker Coffman / Unsplash)