When’s the Right Time to Sell?
If you’ve ever wondered when the right time is to sell your home, you’re not alone. It's a big decision—emotionally, financially and practically. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Timing your sale depends on your personal situation, the market, and how ready you are to take on the selling process. Here’s a guide to help you work through the key questions.
What’s Your Personal Situation?
Start by asking why you’re thinking of selling. Is it a need or a want? For example:
Are you relocating for a new job?
Do you want to be closer to (or further from!) family?
Is it time to upsize or downsize?
These personal motivations matter because they help determine how flexible you can be with timing. If you're not in a rush, you may have more options to pick your moment.
Are You Emotionally Ready?
It might sound strange, but being emotionally prepared to let go of your home is important. Some people feel a strong attachment to the place they’ve raised a family or spent years creating memories in. Others are excited for a fresh start and love the idea of change.
Be honest with yourself—moving can be a big emotional shift.
Have You Stress-Tested the Process?
Even a smooth sale takes effort. Are you ready for:
Open homes?
Finishing those little jobs you've put off?
Cleaning, packing and managing timelines?
The selling process can feel like a full-time job, so make sure you’ve got the time and energy to manage it, or have support around you if needed.
Are You Financially Prepared?
There are real costs involved in selling a home. Have you run the numbers?
Real estate commission
Legal fees
Marketing costs
Potential repairs or staging
Moving expenses
Can you afford the move you're planning? Getting clear on your budget is essential. Chatting to your mortgage broker will help you here.
What Work Should You Do Before Selling?
Talk to your real estate agent early—they can guide you on whether any improvements are worth doing.
Sometimes small changes like tidying the garden or painting the front door can boost your street appeal. In other cases, bigger tasks like addressing unconsented work might be important.
When Is the Best Time to Sell?
While spring is often seen as the “hot” season, there’s no perfect time. Sometimes you’ll stand out more when there are fewer homes on the market.
What's more important is whether it’s the right time for you. If you’re ready and your house is on the market, you give yourself the chance to meet that perfect buyer—who might be looking right now.
Have a Plan for What’s Next?
Think about what happens if your home sells quickly—or takes longer than expected. Can you stay with family short-term, or do you need a long settlement?
Having a backup plan will help reduce stress later.
Final Thoughts
A good starting point is to take stock of your situation—what’s motivating your move, how ready you are emotionally and financially, and what needs to be done to get your home sale-ready.
Once you’ve considered these factors, getting a market appraisal from a trusted agent is a helpful next step. It won’t lock you into anything, but it will give you a clearer picture of your home’s current value and where it sits in the market.
That insight can help you plan with more confidence—because while timing is important, your perfect buyer might already be looking