Many homeowners want to know when the best time to list their property is. Whether it’s because they want to maximize their return on investment or simply because they are thinking about selling but want to know when they will receive the most buyer attention.
Lake Tahoe is an extremely unique market because it is one of the largest tourist destinations in the United States. Tourists visit year round for skiing or visiting the beaches. That is one of the main reasons short and long term rental do so well in the area. However, the real estate market in Lake Tahoe ebbs and flows each year. Like most markets, Lake Tahoe’s market historically usually does extremely well in the summer months. With that being said, is June the best time to put your property on the market?
The simple answer is, it really depends on supply and demand. It is a homeowner’s nature to list their property in the spring, right as the market picks up. But, with that comes some consequences because you most likely aren’t the only homeowner doing so. Therefore, you will be caught in a situation where your property may get lost in the hustle and bustle of every other home coming on the market.
Let’s touch briefly on the winter months. Most people shy away from listing their home October-January because it’s cold, they feel their house won’t show as well, and there is a stigma around there being less buyers looking to purchase. While the streets are filled with tourists during the summer, buyers do not hibernate for the winter. Buyers are constantly looking and will offer on properties year round, especially when they are priced correctly. Furthermore, there is less inventory in the winter which creates less competition for a listing. This in return can create a situation where more buyers are looking at your property because there is less to choose from.
My perspective?
All in all, the beginning of March is my favorite month to advise sellers to list their home for sale. Usually the market still has fairly low inventory and most other homeowners are waiting for warmer weather to list their property. But, you will also be able to ride into those warmer months if your house doesn’t sell immediately. However, it will give buyers who have been searching with limited inventory first look at a new listing before everyone else floods the market. That doesn’t mean I discourage sellers from listing in the winter, because there can still be some major advantages to that as well.
There is no right or wrong answer for when the best time to list your property is. It really comes down to, when is the best time for YOU. There will always be buyers circulating, especially at the lake. If you need advice on when the best time to list your property is, reach out to me and we can go over your wants and needs to see when best suits you.