The Dog Days of Summer

Sellers often ask whether it is a mistake to put their property on the market in the summer. Ideally, you want to put your condo or home on the market in the Spring. Though the inventory increases across the board, the buyers come out from hiding after the winter and it is traditionally the strongest time of year to sell your property. In Hudson County, "Spring" starts as early as mid-February. We had an early Spring in terms of sales this year, in fact. Activity slows down after Memorial Day and is extremely slow from the 4th of July through Labor Day. A second market picks up in the Fall. However, if your condo has not sold by now, do not despair! Last year, as an agent, I closed on three properties in late July, all of which went to contract in June. And the previous year, I sold several properties in August that closed in September and October. The lesson is this: if you are selling your home and it is on the market in the summer, be prepared for it to take longer than it might otherwise. Buyers are at the shore, on vacation, or just not motivated to brave the heat and look at properties, let alone consider moving in the dog days of summer. Selling a home in the summer takes patience but it can certainly be done!