Thinking of Selling Your House? Here’s Why Fall Could Be the Best Time to Put It on the Market
Ask most people when to put a home on the market , and they'll tell you springtime. After all, most new house and apartment listings go live in April and May each year, per Zillow , meaning spring gives buyers plenty of options for finding the perfect house.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean that spring is the best of year to sell a home. In fact, some real estate agents believe that fall is actually the best time to put a house on the market—including Monty Iceman , a Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties .
When it comes to putting your house on the market , "traditionally, most people believe that spring time is the best," Iceman tells Parade . "But fall is a very good time."
Curious to learn why Iceman is such a fan of listing homes for sale in autumn? Keep reading for his insights!
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5 Reasons Why Fall Is a Good Time to Put Your House on the Market, According to a Real Estate Agent
According to Iceman, there are a number of reasons listing your home in the fall is a good move.
1. There's less competition in the fall
In the fall, "less homes are on the market," Iceman explains. Because of this, "the best stand out choices will get the most attention from serious buyers."
"Everyone thinks spring is the best time to sell, which is precisely why inventory floods the market in March and April," he adds. "By listing in late autumn, you stand out against significantly less competition, giving your property maximum visibility and allowing you to maintain far better pricing leverage."
2. Comfortable temperatures make open houses a breeze
Iceman has observed that in the fall, the comfortable cool temperatures "help make a buyer want to look at open houses on a Sunday afternoon." Simple as that!
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3. The holidays are around the corner
"People looking at homes between November and December aren't casual weekend shoppers," Iceman explains. "They're highly motivated buyers on tight timelines, whether it's job relocation, tax-deadline moves, or family changes. Highly intent buyers mean cleaner offers, shorter escrow periods and far fewer unreasonable repair demands."
Additionally, the "upcoming holidays mean more families are together to search for the perfect home."
4. A fall sale eliminates holding costs
"The hidden cost of waiting for spring [to sell] is carrying the home through the winter," explains Iceman. "Holding a property through Q1 means paying three to four additional months of mortgages, property taxes , insurance and utilities. Closing before the holidays puts an immediate stop to those monthly cash drains, saving sellers thousands of dollars in baseline overhead."
Plus, Iceman points out that "tax advantages are on buyers' minds as the year comes to an end, and "it's great to start a new year enjoying those tax breaks ."
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5. Home service contractors are less busy in the fall
Before putting your home on the market, you might want to conduct some minor renovations, such as applying some fresh paint or repairing faulty sinks—and in the fall, you might have a better chance of getting good prices on these services.
"Fall transactions tend to move faster with less endless back-and-forth, reducing the likelihood of costly inspection concessions," Iceman explains.
Plus, in the fall, "service providers such as painters, contractors and handymen are less busy with the spring and summer sales," which can lead to better deals.
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4 Real Estate Agent-Approved Tips for Selling Your Home in the Fall
Iceman is sharing four of his best tips for selling your home in the fall (but most of these apply year-round, too).
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1. Get rid of clutter
It's always a good idea to straighten up before photographing your home and putting it on the market. Iceman recommends "getting rid of clutter so that buyers can see the actual space they would have for their furnishings."
However, you may not be ready to decide what to take with you to your new home, especially if you haven't decided where you're moving yet. So, save yourself the stress and get a temporary storage unit.
"If you know you are moving and you are not sure what to keep, a storage unit is a good idea," Iceman says. "You can decide later but make your home feel open and inviting [right now]."
2. Spruce up your house with a fresh coat of paint
If you've lived in your home for a while, the paint on the exterior of your house and in high-traffic rooms may be worse for wear. In these cases, Iceman recommends repainting before you list your home.
"Fresh paint is inexpensive and gives the home a clean look," he says.
3. Make your home welcoming with cozy fall scents
"Scents are important," says Iceman, adding that putting out a candle with a cozy and inviting smell really makes a difference when it comes to making prospective buyers feel at home. For fall, Iceman is a fan of candles that smell like apple pie or cookies.
4. Think about what you like seeing in prospective homes
When you toured your current home, what were the elements that made you fall in love with the space? Was it the lighting ? The art on the walls? The cushy furniture? Whatever it was, try to replicate that feeling when selling your home.
"I always ask my sellers to remember what drew them [to their] homes far and above the others they saw before deciding that this was the one they wanted to buy," Iceman says. "Then, work from there."
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Sources:
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When Is The Best Time to Buy a House? Zillow .
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Monty Iceman , a Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
This story was originally published by Parade on Oct 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
