When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in California?

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By Kristen Klempert Updated September 19, 2022

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Should I sell now? | Best time to sell: Overall | Best time to sell: Price | Best time to sell: Speed | Best time by location | Top ways to sell your California home

Listing your California home at the right time can help you find a buyer quickly and earn the highest profit.

If you have some flexibility with your sale, it's worth doing some market research and timing your sale for the best outcome possible.

💡 Key takeaways

In terms of price, the best month to sell a house in California is June. The median sale price for California homes in June is $759,500, which is $39,243 more than the annual average.

The best month to sell a house fast in California is May. California homes sold in May are on the market for an average of 25 days, which is 11 days faster than the annual average.

Of course, this is just a small piece of the overall picture. When you should list will depend on your situation and location. Seeking the opinion of a local real estate expert will help you determine the best time for you to sell your California home.

Clever Real Estate can connect you with top real estate agents in your area so you can discuss all your options. They will come up with a custom strategy to match your timeline and priorities. Plus, you'll save money on listing commissions if you sell with the agent.

👋 Talk with a local expert before you list

No matter the time of year, Clever can connect you with a local real estate agent to help you sell quickly and for more money. Talk with an expert about your options so you can make the right decision for your situation. Plus, with Clever:

✅ There's no obligation — you get expert advice for free

✅ You'll work with a full-service realtor from a top broker

✅ You pay a low 1.5% listing fee if you decide to list with the agent

Should I sell my California home now?

It is not an ideal time to sell in California right now, as listing prices have started to decline. However, if you really need to sell this year, try to secure a buyer before winter. Mid-winter is typically when listings sit on the market and prices bottom out. If you can wait, hold off until late spring to early summer, which is when the market is usually ideal for sellers.

Before deciding on anything, consult with a local real estate agent. Local markets typically vary from the state’s overall trend, so it’s best to have an expert review your situation to have a good selling experience.

»Get connected with a local agent today.

The best time of year to sell a house in California

Determining the "right" time to sell your house is somewhat subjective; it really depends on your specific goals and circumstances. That said, if you're like most sellers — i.e., your top priorities are selling high and fast — here's when you should list your California house.

Best time to sell by location

It's important to note that trends vary from region to region. The table below shows the most lucrative months to sell for five cities in California.

Best time to sell in California: Price

Historical data can help you understand when prices in California are typically at their annual high and low. While each year will have slight variations, we looked at sale prices since 2016 to determine the trends and average prices for each month.

Best time to sell in California: Speed

Days on market — or DOM — is commonly defined as the number of days from when a property is listed on the MLS and when it's sold and taken off the market.

When a market has a low median DOM, that's usually an indicator of favorable conditions for sellers, i.e., a high demand among buyers. As with sale prices, we looked at data going back to 2016 to determine historically good months to sell quickly.

Top ways to sell your house no matter the time of year

If you need to sell your California home and it's not the best time of year to list, you still have options.

Sell quickly

You can still sell quickly by reaching out to a cash buyer or, if your house qualifies, to an iBuyer.

Cash buyers can close in a matter of days year round so you don't have to wait for a buyer during the slow season. You can also request offers from multiple buyers to ensure you're getting a good deal for your home.

Get fair offers from cash home buyers now!

Compare offers from top cash buyers, plus get an expert realtor's opinion on what your house is worth.

Save money

One of the biggest costs when selling your house is real estate agent commissions. If you need to sell when sale prices are typically lower, saving on realtor fees is often your best option for maximizing your profit.

By listing with a flat fee MLS company instead of a traditional agent, you pay a more affordable upfront fee instead of a typical listing commission. However, you'll have to complete every step of the home selling process without professional help.

Another option is working with a discount brokerage. These are often full-service agents who work for reduced commissions.

No matter the time of year, the smart choice is always to talk with a real estate professional. Clever can connect you with an agent to go over your options and develop a customized sales strategy about how and when to sell your home. The service is 100% free and there's never any obligations.

👋 Next Steps: Talk to an expert!

If you're weighing your options for selling a house, Clever can help!

Our fully-licensed concierge team is standing by to answer questions and provide free, objective advice on getting the best outcome with your sale or purchase.

Ready to get started?

Give us a call at 1-833-2-CLEVER or enter your info below. Our concierge team will be in touch shortly to help.

Remember, this service is 100% free and there’s never any obligation.

When's the best time to sell a home in California?

If you're after the best sales price, the best month to sell in California is June when houses sell for 5.45% more than average.

If your priority is speed, May is the best time to sell because homes tend to sell 11 days faster.

When's the worst time to sell a home in California?

January is the month when homes sell for the least amount of money. When it comes to a quick sale, December is the worst time to list. Homes stay on the market for an average of 45 days.

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