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In the real estate game, getting the quickest and highest offer possible is the goal of every home seller. To achieve this, you must act strategically. There are good and bad times of year to sell your home, but many sellers are unaware that there are also good and bad days of the week to put a home on the market. Sellers can increase the likelihood of maximizing their gains by listing a property on one day in particular: Thursday. Let’s find out what makes Thursdays so magical for home sales.
The best day of the week to list your house
Thursday is the sweet spot for listing your home for sale. This is mainly because house-hunters tend to plan their in-person home tours for the weekend, when they’re not at work, and pre-weekend listings are fresh in their minds.
“Listing a property on Thursday creates a buzz around it right before the weekend,” says Naim Harrison, a Realtor and broker with Kennedy Taylor Realty in Atlanta.
If you really want to game the timing, consider advertising your property after 5 p.m. on Thursday, when most people come home from work and start looking online. Your brand-new listing has a good chance of being among the first ones buyers see.
Best day for the highest price
Thursday listings are also a good bet to increase your home-sale profits. A 2021 Zillow study found that homes listed on Thursdays were more likely to sell for above their asking price than those listed on other days of the week. Redfin data also shows that Thursday or Friday listings tend to sell for closest to their original list price.
“Listing a property on Thursday and Friday makes the listing look fresh,” says San Diego Realtor Jessica Nguyen of Homesmart Realty West. “Sellers don’t lose any market time by listing a property on either of these days.”
Best day for the fastest sale
Listing your property on a Thursday can help to sell a home fast as well for the best price, the Zillow study found. This time frame gives sellers enough time to have multiple showings over the weekend — and hopefully an offer or two by Monday.
RE/MAX agent Megan Williams, who is based in Baltimore, says she likes to employ this strategy for a quick sale. “I typically list my latest property on Thursday, do a private showing on Friday and hold an open house on Saturday or Sunday,” she says. Her goal is to have the property under contract by Monday.
It’s important to note, however, that this super-fast timeline is very ambitious. According to the National Association of Realtors, in September 2022, properties were typically remaining on the market for about 19 days. The number of days a house stays on the market can depend on various factors, including location, market conditions and asking price. A four-day, Thursday-to-Monday timeline is extremely speedy.
Regional differences
As a general rule end-of-week listings, and particularly those listed on Thursdays, tend to have the best results all across the country — as the Realtors above from Georgia, California and Maryland report. But rules are made to be broken, and results may vary from region to region.
“While the timing of the listing is key, there are some exceptions to the rule,” says Westchester County, New York–based Indira Ranganathan, a broker with Guard Hill Realty. “Sellers must understand the market conditions, accurately assess the value of the home and list at a very competitive price. These factors also contribute to how quickly a sale happens.”
Real estate is hyper-local, and market conditions can vary greatly from one location to another. Seasonality may also come into play in some markets, and holidays — even just long weekends — can have an impact on sales too. It’s important to work with a knowledgeable local real estate agent who understands the intricacies of your specific area.
Bottom line
Thursday is generally thought to be the best day of the week to list a house for sale. Studies show that homes listed on Thursdays are more likely to sell faster, and for a higher price. Talk to your agent about whether listing your property on a Thursday should be part of your home-sale strategy.
FAQs
Thursday is generally thought to be the best day of the week to list a house for sale. Studies show that homes listed on Thursdays are more likely to sell faster, and for a higher price. Talk to your agent about whether listing your property on a Thursday should be part of your home-sale strategy.
What day of the week do most house showings occur? ›
What day of the week do most house showings occur? Sunday is the day of the week with the most home showings.
What are the busiest days for real estate agents? ›
Saturday and Sunday tend to be the busiest days for open houses, showings, and closing deals. Consider making weekends your prime money making time, especially when you're new to the business. Take Thursday or Friday off to recharge, and do a half day on one weekend day if needed.
What is the secret to a fast sale of a property? ›
One of the most effective ways to sell your home fast is to price it competitively. If you price it too high, you detract prospective buyers and price out potential bidders. In addition, it may take longer to settle the negotiation process if prospective buyers want your price to come down.
What is the best day to make a sale? ›
Important findings of the Salesmate study
- Best day to make a sales call: Wednesday.
- Best time to make a sales call: 4-5 pm.
- Best hour to make a sales call: Within the first hour of the lead generation.
- Advisable sales call attempts: 6.
Seasonality
Weather, holidays, summer vacations, tax season, and the start of the school year all can curb buyer interest and speed. The slowest month to sell a house in the U.S. is typically December.
What month do most houses sell? ›
Here's how each month of the year ranked for the best time to sell a house. The highest-earning months are, in ranking order, May, June, April and March. Just over 18 million purchase transactions took place during this period, according to ATTOM.
What month do most people list their house for sale? ›
June is the most popular month to list a house for sale. Premiums (the amount above the asking price) are highest in May, but total selling prices are higher in June and July. Premiums are still in the double-digits for those months, suggesting sellers still come out ahead.
How many viewings should I expect in the first week? ›
How many viewings constitute a 'good' number will depend on how many buyers there are in the area at the time. If the market is slow, 2 viewings may be considered a good first week. If there is high demand for properties in the local area, you may find you have 5 or more viewings booked for the first weekend.
What are the slowest days for real estate agents? ›
Tuesdays, for some reason is nearly universally the day that offices have their meetings. Wednesdays are usually slow where agents can tend to a bit of personal business. Thurs/Friday start the cycle again, firming up appointments for the weekend.
According to Fast Company, though, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. is the best time to post, with Wednesday at 3 p.m. being the prime hour during the week. However, this doesn't mean you can't post any other time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., as long as it's valuable content.
How often should a realtor post? ›
The long answer:
Posting on your feed every day will give you great results – but only if the content is actually serving your audience. Posting random memes & graphics just to post something won't get you the same results as posting valuable content your audience loves and wants to come back for.
What house sells fastest? ›
Homes that are well-maintained and recently updated tend to sell faster than those in need of significant renovations. Buyers are often willing to pay a premium for properties that are move-in ready. This includes houses with updated kitchens, bathrooms, and energy-efficient features.
What is a ghost sale in real estate? ›
The term ghost offers likely was originated by a disgruntled realtor who was aggravated with local investors who would make offers on properties, get a contract on them and then not close when the time came. Often, these investors would cancel the contract under their inspection period clause.
How can I make my house more appealing when selling? ›
8 ways to boost curb appeal
- Repaint the house. A dingy exterior can make your home unappealing to potential buyers before they even step inside. ...
- Repaint just the doors. ...
- Clean the windows. ...
- Refresh the landscaping. ...
- Power wash the driveway. ...
- Tidy up the lighting. ...
- Fix the roof and gutters. ...
- Upgrade the mailbox.
Thursday is the best day to list. Most renters either want to tour rental properties right away — the same day they inquire or the next day — or on the weekend.
What is the most popular month to list house? ›
Nationally, the best time to sell a house is March if you're trying to sell quickly, while the best time to maximize profit is July. Zillow recommends listing your home for sale in March, but no later than Labor Day, based on historical market trends.
What month are most houses listed for sale? ›
Late spring and early summer are the busiest and most competitive time of year for the real estate market. There's usually more inventory listed for sale than other times of year, and home prices are steeper to reflect the increased demand.
