When is the Best Time to Sell My House?

Ask almost any homeowner when the best time is to sell, and you’ll hear the same answer: spring or summer. It’s a belief rooted in the idea that buyers want to move after the school year ends and settle in before August.

But if East Bay sellers had access to the last 35 years of home-sale statistics, they would discover something completely unexpected:
The highest price per square foot almost always happens in the first quarter of the year.

Why the first quarter? The “secret sauce” is simple:

1. Inventory is at its lowest point of the entire year. With fewer homes available, buyers compete more aggressively.

2. Demand is high. Many buyers have been waiting since the previous fall—pre-approved, serious, and ready to act.

As spring progresses, inventory climbs. By summer, the number of active listings surges, and home prices typically flatten or even decline, despite strong buyer activity.

For homeowners looking to maximize their sale in 2026, the message is clear:
Start preparing now so your home can enter the market early—when prices are at their strongest and competition is at its weakest.

Thinking of selling in 2026?
Reach out to The Bay Area Team for a tailored roadmap to prepare your home and position it for a smooth, successful, and profitable first-quarter sale.