According to analysts, the best time to sell your home in 2022 is now, during the first quarter. In other words, if you're selling, our prediction is the earlier the better.

Why? Interest rates will likely continue to rise in 2022, so motivated buyers seeking affordability should act quickly. Being early to list your home could put yours ahead of comparable homes coming to market. In a smaller inventory pool, there’ll be higher demand, and more favorable pricing. And with rates still low, more buyers will likely qualify for financing.

FIRST QUARTER 2022

On top of that, many homeowners are sitting on a significant amount of equity from last year, and are in a good position to buy. For those with a property to unload, the advantages are well-defined: your home’s value is up, there’s ever more buyer interest, and desire for suburban and rural properties doesn’t appear to be waning.

SPRING

Spring is normally when potential buyers emerge from their winter planning, house-hunting on their mind. This year, however, with interest rates set to rise in March, shoppers will be chomping at the bit, active and hungry to buy in order to lock in lower borrowing rates before they go up.

SUMMER

Summer is your last chance to list while potential buyers are out and trying to close on a property before weather and Back to School interfere with move dates.

WINTER

Photo by Szymon12455 on Unsplash — Photo by: Szymon12455 on Unsplash

Keep in mind that as the year draws to a close, buyers tend to focus on celebrations and travel during the holidays. Winter is notoriouslyu slow. In other words, the early bird stands to get the most worm if you’re selling in 2022.

Best Time to Sell: Is there a Certain "DAY" of the Week?

Thursday is the most popular day for agents to debut new listings, and homes listed on that day apparently sell fastest, according to Redfin. Buyers tend to tour homes on the weekends and, therefore, homes listed toward the end of the week, and especially on Fridays, tend to be the most top-of-mind when planning out what homes to see.

Selling: Possible Reasons to Wait

For buyers, stiff competition and higher ticket prices await. But for those with a property to unload, the advantages of selling in 2022 are well-defined: property values are up, there’s more buyer interest than usual, and the desire for suburban and rural properties doesn’t appear to be waning. But of all these promising market trends for Sellers this year doesn’t necessarily mean you should—because there’s a lot more at play.

Selling might not be your best option. It’s important to look at the reasons to wait, and how your circumstances fit. Such as:

If you’ve refinanced

If you’ve just refinanced, now is not the time to sell. Refinancing can help keep you in your current home, but make the payments more affordable and so locking in a more affordable rate might thereby lessen the reason you’d sell to begin with.

If you seek stability

If you’re in a life stage where you need financial stability, refinancing your current home could be a better solution than selling and trying to buy where prices are inflated.

If you can’t afford to buy in your desired market

If affordability is a factor, you may need to wait until there’s a more balanced market—where you will not only get a great price for your existing home, but also feel confident you’re paying one as well. If prices are particularly inflated in your area, now might not be the time.

If your home is in need of improvement

Sometimes even the smallest of upgrades can turn into big yields when it comes time to sell. In a Seller’s Market, you’ll have lots of leverage and might even insist that the Buyer pays for any permits, necessary updates, or mandatory repairs before closing. But for superficial improvements, you’re on your own. Know that if you improve your house now, it could mean a bigger sale later in the year.

Reasons to Sell in 2022: Review

A buttoned-up list of reasons to consider selling in 2022:

Buyer demand remains strong and isn’t likely to disappear
Mortgage and interest rates will rise but are still historically low
There’ll be an expected .03% more inventory this year, loosening up what’s been an over-competitive market
Many homeowners are sitting on a significant amount of equity from last year, and are in a good position to buy

So is it Better to Buy or Sell in 2022?

The decision to sell your home can be a complex one, but it doesn’t have to be one you make alone.

SellWhenever can match you with thoroughly-vetted, top-performing real estate agents in your local market when you are ready to sell — with no pressure to sign or sell at any time. Get in touch or sign up today.

Final Thoughts

Experts predict that rising interest rates will start to balance the market, while the remote-work revolution has opened up new opportunities to relocate. This shift in the culture, nd in the marketplace, is expected to continue into 2022 and beyond. In other words, demand is high, prices are peaking, and so all told, if you’re in a position to sell a home in 2022, it’s a superb time.

Top Five 2022 Real Estate Predictions for 2022

Those with property to sell stand the most to gain.
Homes in suburban and rural areas are highest in demand.
It’s a seller’s market, so buying will be difficult.
‘Smartsizing’s the new downsizing
If you’re selling in 2022, the earlier the better!

By signing up with SellWhenever, we pay you, the homeowner, for the privilege of becoming your agent-network of choice when it comes time to sell your home. That is, if you decide to sell your home. Because we’ll never pressure you either way. Our Thank You Payment of up to $2,000—even if you never sell, you never have to pay it back—has helped thousands of happy homeowners just like you. Help is just a click away.

Sarah A. Lybrand

When Is a Good Time to Sell in 2022?