Spring House-Selling Guide: A 3-Month Plan for Top Dollar

We’ve all seen the ads: “Spring into a new home!” Or, “Spring selling season is in bloom!” But have you ever wondered why just about everyone (including real estate agents) says spring is the best time to sell a house?

Well, it really boils down to supply and demand. More buyers are house hunting in the spring than at any other time of year, which means stronger demand—and more opportunity—for sellers.

Here’s what you need to know to make the most of the spring market and walk away with the best possible sale price for your home.

Top Reasons Spring Is the Best Time to Sell

Spring is a popular time to buy and sell a house for three big reasons:

Spring home sales align with the school year.

Lots of buyers want to settle into their new home before the next school year starts. That means buying in the spring and closing in the summer—so their kid isn’t walking into a new classroom halfway through the school year.

Better weather means more buyers are out.

Spring weather makes it easier for buyers to get out and explore. Folks who’ve been cooped up all winter watching reruns of House Hunters are itching to tour homes in person—especially with longer days that leave more time for showings.

High buyer and seller activity creates a strong market.

More homes on the market means more choices for buyers—and more buyers means stronger offers for sellers. That balance makes spring a win for both sides.

How Selling in Spring Compares to Other Seasons

While spring is hands-down the best season to sell, it’s helpful to see how it stacks up against the rest of the year. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect in each season—so you can plan with confidence.

Spring

Do we need to say it again? Yes, spring is king. You’ll have more buyers in the market, better weather for showings, and a higher chance of getting multiple offers. Homes that sell in the spring typically go for more money, and they move fast.

Summer

The momentum from spring often carries into summer, especially as many buyers aim to move before fall. Homes sold in June or July often close just in time for a summer move-in.

Fall

Buyer activity typically slows in the fall as routines settle and back‑to‑school schedules take over. Homes can still sell, but you may see more days on the market and less competition among buyers.

Winter

Winter is usually the slowest season to sell because of colder weather and holiday distractions, but the buyers who are looking tend to be serious. You’ll need to be strategic with pricing and presentation to attract them.

Best Months to List Your Home for Top Dollar

For 2025, the median home sales price grew each month from January to June—from $398,100 to $438,600. Prices then declined through the end of the year, with only a small uptick in October.¹

But here’s the important part—homes that sold in June likely hit the market in April or May. That’s when demand is highest, which leads to stronger offers and quicker sales. So if you want to sell for the best possible price, aim to list in early to mid-spring.

The chart below shows the median sales price of single-family homes by month in 2025, based on data from the National Association of REALTORS^®:

How to Stand Out in a Busy Spring Market

Spring is the hottest season for home sales—which means more buyers, but also more competition. To make sure your home doesn’t get lost in the crowd, you’ll need to be intentional about how you list and present it.

Here’s how to rise above the rest:

• Price it right from the start. Overpricing can push serious buyers away in a market full of options. Trust your agent to help you find a competitive, data-backed price.
• Focus on curb appeal. Spring landscaping gives you an edge—so mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, and add a pop of color with flowers or a freshly painted front door.
• Stage with simplicity and warmth. A clean, uncluttered home with inviting touches like natural light and neutral decor helps buyers imagine themselves living there.
• Invest in professional photos. Most buyers start their search online. High-quality listing photos (and even a video tour) can make the difference between a scroll and a showing.
• Be ready to move quickly. Homes move fast in spring. Prep your home, organize your paperwork, and plan your next steps before your listing goes live.

Once you’ve got a solid strategy to stand out, it’s time to get moving. Here’s a step-by-step timeline to make sure you’re fully prepped by the time your home hits the market.

Spring Home-Selling Checklist: What to Do and When

We’ll let you in on a little secret: You don’t have to wait for the weather to warm up to get your home ready to sell. The earlier you prep, the better chance you have of standing out—and cashing in—when buyers flood the market.

Here’s a high-level look at what to do—and when—to get your home ready to sell fast and for top dollar:

• 3+ months before listing: Interview real estate agents, make a plan, and start decluttering and packing.
• 2–3 months before listing: Schedule a presale home inspection and tackle necessary repairs.
• 1 month before listing: Refresh your home with paint, curb appeal updates and professional staging.
• 1–2 weeks before listing: Deep clean every room to prep for showings, and finalize listing details with your agent.

Now let’s walk through each step in more detail so you’re fully prepared when it’s time to list.

3+ Months Before Listing

Interview real estate agents. Finding the right real estate agent isn’t a one-and-done process. That’s why the sooner you start, the better. Don’t waste your time on someone who only sells a handful of homes a year. You need a pro who inspires you with confidence and has a proven track record of getting top dollar for homes.

As one member of our Ramsey Baby Steps Facebook group said, “Skip the headache and hire a real estate agent that has market share in your area. Not all agents are created equal, so interview several and ask about their process and marketing strategy.”

Make a plan. Once you have a partner, it’s time to map out your next steps. Before you roll up your sleeves and get your house ready to sell, make a list of all your to-dos. This lets you break the process down into bite-sized chunks so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Work with your agent to set priorities, then focus on knocking out one task at a time.

Start packing. This is where the going gets tough. It’s time to part with your stuff—but only for a little while. Take a look around and decide what you can live without until your home sells. Rent a storage unit if you have to. Just pack up the clutter and get it out so you can make room for buyers. Here’s an added bonus: The rest of the work will be much easier with less stuff clogging your corners!

2–3 Months Before Listing

Uncover issues. Want to beat buyers to the punch list? Get a presale home inspection. Of course, your buyer’s home inspector will still find things that need to be done. But being proactive enables you to identify potential deal breakers so you can adjust your timeline and budget accordingly.

Tackle repairs. With your home inspection report in hand, work with your real estate agent to prioritize the findings. It’s always less expensive to repair or replace something up front than to wait for the buyer to ask for it. This is especially true for major fixes like a new roof or HVAC unit. Buyers tend to ask for much more than the actual cost of the repair. For example, they might ask $12,000 for a roof replacement that would only cost you $8,000.

1 Month Before Listing

Spruce it up. First impressions matter, especially when buyers are seeing multiple homes in one weekend. Breathe new life into your home with a fresh coat of paint, updated landscaping and polished hardwood floors.

Stage your home. Ask your agent for help finding a trusted stager who knows your market. A well-staged home highlights your space and helps buyers picture themselves living there. As one seller in our Ramsey Baby Steps Facebook group put it, “I would never sell without an experienced real estate agent and a stager. You’ll make more money out the door.” It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in your final sale price.

1–2 Weeks Before Listing

Deep clean. Save this step until it’s almost time to plant the For Sale sign in your yard. You don’t want muddy paws traipsing through your home for a month after you’ve spent your hard-earned cash cleaning the carpets. Once every surface sparkles, give each family member a special job—maybe even run drills—to ensure your home stays that way.

Confirm your listing strategy. Now’s the time to lock in the details with your real estate agent. Decide on your go-live date, confirm your asking price, and review your listing description and photos.

Want more tips for getting the most from your home-selling experience? Check out our free Home Sellers Guide—it can help you get your home set up for success.

Take the First Step Toward Selling

Ready to get in on that sweet springtime selling season? Start by checking off the first to-do on your list: finding a real estate agent.

But not just any agent—you want a RamseyTrusted^® pro. These are full-time agents with a proven track record of serving people well and getting top dollar for homes in your area. They’ve earned our trust, which is why they carry the RamseyTrusted shield—so you can feel confident you’re working with someone who puts your goals first.