Should I buy or sell in the summer?

Should I buy or sell in the summer?

A lot of my clients ask me if they should list their homes in summer. The answer really depends on your goals, your timelines and what’s happening in the market. 

Typically, spring and fall are the busiest seasons for real estate. A lot of people check out over the summer. Kids are off school, families are heading to the cottage or traveling, and they generally aren’t in the headspace to be buying a new place. Plus, even if they are planning to buy, the intensity of the spring market can lead to buyer fatigue.

With a smaller pool of buyers out there, fewer sellers are motivated to list their properties. So if you’re thinking about selling, but you can’t get your listing on the market before summer, you may want to wait until early September if you can. There’s a flip slide to this, though. With fewer listings in the market, yours can really stand out. Plus, because the first half of this year was so slow, this summer may surprise us – especially if we see interest rates being held further. 

But also keep in mind that there are always people looking to buy and sell. 

Those who have been waiting for the perfect property to pop up always have an eye on the market. I’ve seen some really great listings come up in the warmer months – and the buyers who were paying attention were the ones who snapped them up. With fewer buyers, there’s less competition. So while there are fewer listings to choose from, there’s also a higher chance you can land the property you want if you don’t have to fight 20 or 30 other bidders for it. 

The market decides. 

The question of summer being a good or bad time to buy is completely dependent on what’s happening in the market. Right now, there’s a serious shortage of inventory, so competition is pretty fierce out there. With so many buyers and so few properties, demand may not decrease as much as you might expect. Plus, we don’t know what’s in store for the next Bank of Canada announcement, so keep in touch and I’ll be happy to keep you posted. 

About Sean Miller

Recognized as one of the most dynamic, high-performing agents in the Toronto market, Sean is the #1 performer at Property.ca Inc. Brokerage and is in the top 1% of Toronto realtors for sales volume.

Over the last decade, Sean has built a strong real estate career based on his uncompromising professionalism, relentless work ethic and tenacious drive. He strives to provide the best possible outcome and to make the process seamless and transparent. Sean has proven that his exceptional service and attention to all of his clients is the recipe to his success. His deep understanding of the market makes him an ideal advisor for buyers, sellers and investors alike. Sean's tough negotiating skills, coupled with his "no-nonsense" approach to closing deals, puts his in a league of his own.

Prior to real estate, Sean had a successful career as an internationally-recognized music producer and DJ, having played at some of the most prestigious festivals and nightclubs around the globe. His travels took him to some incredible places. He still considers Toronto the best city in the world and is very passionate about working in the city he loves. Above all, Sean is a family man. His wife, Lisa and their daughter, Mia, are the light of his life.

*Stats taken from The Toronto Real Estate Board (TRREB) 2021, 2022

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