When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in New York?

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If you’re planning to put your New York property on the market, it’s wise to position yourself for success — whether that means achieving the highest possible sale price or securing a quick closing. While preparing your home and selecting the right local agent are important steps, the timing of your listing can also have a significant impact on your outcome.

To help you determine the ideal time to sell a home in New York, we consulted with Lou DeMichele, a highly rated real estate professional who specializes in single-family homes. DeMichele also offers valuable tips and insights to help you attract committed buyers more efficiently.

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New York housing trends

According to DeMichele, who’s based in Central New York, the state’s housing market has begun to slow, although periods of stronger activity still come in waves.

“Compared to the last few years, I would say it is a little slower than it’s been, but things still seem to be coming in spurts when it comes to buyers and listings. Some weeks are stronger than others, but it does feel like the slowest my local market has been in the last few years,” DeMichele remarks.

In New York, homes generally remain on the market for about 59 days on average. In real estate terms, this timeframe is referred to as days on market (DOM) and measures the interval between listing and contract signing. By comparison, the national average DOM stands at 58 days.

The median value for homes in New York is approximately $671,500, reflecting no change from the year prior.

“I know there are some markets across the country that are flooded with inventory, but in my area, we don’t really see big swings one way or another. We’re just busier or slower, if that makes any sense. We don’t have anything that would have dramatically altered my local market in the last year,” DeMichele says.

What does this mean for sellers? While certain markets across the state, such as Manhattan, are showing signs of cooling, others, such as Upstate and the Capital Region, remain strong. Regardless of your local market, it is now more important than ever to price your home strategically and showcase it effectively in order to set yourself apart.

When is the best time to sell a house in New York?

Although elevated interest rates and housing supply are shaping the current market, New York traditionally experiences cyclical sales patterns with activity peaking during late spring and early summer. The period from May through August generally offers sellers the opportunity to maximize their returns. If selling quickly is your priority, the optimal time to list your property in New York begins in May.

Since it typically takes 59 days to find a buyer and about 41 days for the buyer’s loan to finalize, it’s advisable to list your property a couple of months prior to the peak selling window.

“Usually, in my area, the nicer weather is the busier season. If I were to pick a period, usually May and June to around September or October is when there’s the most activity in terms of transactions, buyers, and sellers. That’s usually when agents in my area earn the bulk of their yearly income,” DeMichele remarks.

While these months tend to be the busiest, timing can vary locally. Let’s examine sales data from some of the largest markets in New York to identify when you should sell your home — whether your goal is to maximize profits or to close quickly.

Best times to sell a house in New York City

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price June September You could sell your house for 8.8% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast June September You could sell your house 12 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Buffalo

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price May August You could sell your house for 17.06% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast May August You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Rochester

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price May August You could sell your house for 6.36% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast April July You could sell your house 6 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Yonkers

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price May August You could sell your house for 7.70% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast May August You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Syracuse

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price May August You could sell your house for 7.55% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast June September You could sell your house 11 days sooner than if listed in other months.

Best times to sell a house in Utica

Selling objective List month Close month Benefit
Best time for higher price August November You could sell your house for 6.40% more than the yearly average.
Best time to sell fast August November You could sell your house 9 days sooner than if listed in other months.

“When there are a lot of graduation weekends and things like that, it slows a little. But if the right thing comes up for the client, they’re still going to make time to get over there. I wouldn’t say it has an adverse effect — it might affect things a little, but not a lot,” says DeMichele.

To explore home-selling trends for additional cities, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Using these insights as a foundation, you’ll be ready to consult with a top-performing real estate agent in New York who can offer tailored advice on the optimal month to sell based on your unique neighborhood, situation, and local market conditions.


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