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

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If you’re preparing to sell your property in Wisconsin, you may be wondering how to position yourself for success — whether that means maximizing your sale price or locking in a quick closing. While partnering with the right local agent and preparing your home for the market are critical steps in the process, the timing of when you decide to list can also have a significant impact on your outcome.

To help you choose the right moment to sell your Wisconsin property, we consulted with Mari Slobounov, an accomplished agent with over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. Slobounov also offers professional advice and strategies to help you attract committed buyers more quickly.

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Wisconsin housing trends

According to Slobounov, the Wisconsin housing market is trending toward equilibrium, featuring better inventory availability alongside consistent buyer demand.

“Our Wisconsin housing market is still pretty active compared to the coasts, and we’re seeing some more nuances than we’ve seen before,” she remarks. “We’re seeing steady buyer interest, and our market is becoming a little more balanced. Even five months ago, we only had about one month’s supply, and now we’re seeing a more balanced market with four months of inventory.”

Typically, homes in Wisconsin sell within about 39 days after listing. This timeframe, referred to in real estate as the days on market (DOM), measures the interval from when a property is listed until a purchase contract is signed. In comparison, the current national average DOM is 58 days. The median sale price in Wisconsin stands around $337,125, marking a 4.53% increase from the previous year.

“Low inventory continues to be a major challenge for us in our market. Under $500,000, it’s still very, very competitive. Over the $500,000 to $600,000 price point, we’re starting to see more days on market,” Slobounov shares. “I think interest rates are our biggest factor right now because they’re sitting closer to 7%, and it’s making some of our buyers a little hesitant to move away from their low 3% interest rate to upsize or change their living situation.”

What implications do these patterns have for sellers? While eager and motivated buyers are still out there, pricing competitively and effectively presenting your home are as important as ever to make your Wisconsin listing stand out.

When is the best time to sell a house in Wisconsin?

Although elevated interest rates and limited inventory continue to impact the market, Wisconsin typically experiences seasonal sales patterns, with activity rising during the spring. Therefore, the months spanning February through May generally represent the ideal period to sell for maximum returns. If your main goal is a quick sale, the prime selling window in Wisconsin begins in May.

Since it usually takes approximately 39 days to secure a buyer, along with about 41 days for the buyer’s loan process to conclude, listing your residence two to three months ahead of the busiest selling period is advisable.

“The spring market is our most competitive — the most buyers are out, and we have the most homes to sell in the spring, which is really February to May for us. We do see buyers come out right after the first of the year due to having New Year’s resolutions, and our apartment leases tend to end in May. So there’s a big drive to get home before the end of May,” Slobounov says.

Now, let’s examine transaction statistics for some of the largest markets in Wisconsin to identify the optimal time to sell your home, whether your focus is on securing the best price or achieving a speedy sale.

Best times to sell a house in Milwaukee

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 12% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast March June You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Menomonee Falls

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 8.45% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast July October You could sell your house 12 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Wauwatosa

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 7.97% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast April July You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Madison

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 4.08% 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.

Best times to sell a house in Kenosha

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 5.21% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast July October You could sell your house 10 days sooner than if listed in other months.

“I would say the weather definitely impacts our cycle. People want to get in before school starts or before school ends, so that’s why there’s a huge push to sell before June. Then you’ll see another peak before September, before school starts again,” says Slobounov. “We also see relocation cycles with people tied to our university and hospitals. When new doctors come in for residency, we see a huge push during that time period too, which is typically early spring to summer.”

For additional insights on home-selling trends in other cities, explore our Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Starting from this information, you’ll be ready to connect with a top-performing real estate agent in Wisconsin who can offer customized advice about the best months to sell your home based on your neighborhood, personal situation, and local market conditions.


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