These Are the Best 2 Weeks to List Your Home This Year, According to Zillow

Spring is nearly here, and it’s prime time to get your home ready for sale—but don’t rush to put it on the market just yet. A new report from Zillow reveals that homes listed during the last two weeks in May sell for 1.6% more than any other time. 

The real estate site also evaluated the second best time to sell and how markets differ, according to their internal data. Here’s what the experts recommend for anyone looking to get maximum exposure and top dollar for their house in 2025. 

When to Sell Your Home for the Best Price This Year

As mentioned, the best time to market and list your home is in the final two weeks of May, with sales raising around $5,600. But the second half of March is also ideal for warmer climates like San Diego and Austin. 

If you experience a life change and need to move right away, Zillow’s report says you can even sell your home as late as November in some areas without experiencing a huge loss on the sale price. These listing times are based on several years of data, but unfortunately, they’re not a hard and fast rule anymore. 

Housing Market Fluctuations

Zillow warns in its report that this year’s housing market may not follow the identified trend. Low inventory and varied interest rates are causing the home-buying season to ebb and flow regardless of the weather or summer vacation plans. 

“In the past few years, mortgage rate fluctuations upended the traditional spring home shopping season,” Zillow’s senior economist Orphe Divounguy said in a statement. “Buyers who are on the edge of qualifying for a loan jump in and out of the market depending on what’s happening with rates. When rates fall, more buyers rush in, putting upward pressure on prices, which could happen at any time of year.”

Here’s when sales prices peaked in the last few years:

• Late March in 2022
• Early June in 2023
• May in 2024 (similar to pre-pandemic trends)

Markets That Gained the Most Based on List Time

Zillow also broke down the ideal listing times for different areas. Searches are typically highest right before Memorial Day (which falls on May 26 this year), but this varies by city. 

These markets had the highest sales price increase during their peak season in 2024: 

• San Jose, CA: Second half of March – 5.3% (or $93,200)
• Los Angeles, CA: First half of April – 3.9% (or $39,300)
• Cleveland, OH: Second half of June – 3.7% (or $8,600)
• Kansas City, MO: First half of May – 3.4% (or $10,400)
• Columbus, OH: First half of May – 3.4% (or $11,100)

What to Do if You Can’t Wait to Sell

Not everyone can sell during their area’s peak season, so Zillow shared some tips to maximize your listing regardless. First, the service mentioned that sellers should always have their homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which seems like a no-brainer. Homes not listed here sell for around 1.5% less. 

Also, sellers should come up with a list of features to show off. For example, if you have an outdoor TV, flaunt it. Buyers have been prioritizing a variety of outdoor living amenities, so homeowners should focus on improving those areas if they’re planning on selling anytime soon.

For the listing itself, make sure you give your home the virtual tour treatment. Interactive floor plans and high-res images can also boost your sales price. 

To get a deeper look at the data, including the prime selling time for your market, read the Zillow report and use its “Best Time to List” calculator.