Homes sell for $5,600 more when they are listed in late May

Core Insights - Zillow's analysis indicates that the optimal time to sell a home in the U.S. is during the second half of May, where homes sold for 1.6% more, translating to an average increase of $5,600 on a typical home [1][7]. Market Trends - The peak search activity for home buyers typically occurs before Memorial Day, as potential buyers prepare for summer and the upcoming school year [1]. - Mortgage rate fluctuations have disrupted traditional seasonal patterns in the housing market, affecting buyer behavior and home prices [3]. Regional Variations - The best time to list a home varies significantly by metropolitan area, with some regions like San Diego and Austin seeing optimal listing times as early as the second half of March, while Phoenix sees it as late as the second half of November [4][10]. - In San Jose, sellers listing in the second half of March achieved a premium of 5.3$93,200 on a typical home, while Orlando saw only a 0.9% increase during its peak [5][10]. Seller Strategies - Sellers are encouraged to maximize exposure by listing their homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), as homes not listed on the MLS sell for a median of 1.5% less, resulting in a potential loss of nearly $5,000 [8]. - Highlighting desirable features, such as outdoor amenities, can lead to higher sale prices, with buyers willing to pay up to 3.1$9,000 to the sale price [9].