A brand new report from Redfin just dropped, and the data is more specific than ever about when sellers come out on top. If you're thinking about listing your home this year, here's what you need to know.
Late April Is the National Sweet Spot
Redfin analyzed housing data going back to 2015 and the conclusion is clear: the end of April is the single best time to list your home for sale.
Not just marginally better.
Significantly better.
Here's what the numbers actually show:
- Homes listed in late April are 18% more likely to sell above asking price than any other time of year
- The median sale price runs 4% higher than the yearly average
- You're 17% more likely to sell within two weeks
- Homes spend about 9% fewer days on market
Why?
It comes down to a simple but powerful dynamic.
Buyers are out in full force, motivated to be settled before summer, but the market hasn't yet flooded with competing listings. That imbalance works entirely in a seller's favor. By summer, inventory peaks and sellers face far more competition.
But Real Estate Is Local, And This Is Where It Gets Interesting
The national average is a useful starting point. It's not the whole story.
Redfin found a clear geographic pattern: the best time to list is earlier on the West Coast and later on the East Coast. In cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and Denver, the prime window is late March. San Jose sellers should be aiming for mid-March.
For San Diego? Mid-to-late March is your sweet spot.
That's earlier than most sellers think.
If you're planning to list this spring, you're still in a strong window right now. But if you're looking ahead to next year, start your prep work in January so you're ready to hit the market by mid-March and capture peak demand before competition builds.
On the other side of the country, Northeast markets like Philadelphia and Boston tend to peak in May, once the snow has cleared and buyers start moving again.
Does Timing Even Matter in Your Market?
Not equally everywhere, and this is worth knowing.
Florida metros are the least seasonal markets in the country. Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando see steady activity year-round, so the difference between listing in March versus June is relatively small. Phoenix and Las Vegas are similar.
The most seasonal market in the entire country?
San Francisco.
And it's not just the weather. It's inventory. In high-demand, low-supply markets, everyone converges on the same narrow window. Sellers want to list when they can also find their next home, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that makes timing genuinely critical. Boston, Seattle, San Jose, and Minneapolis round out the most seasonal markets.
San Diego sits in the middle.
Our mild weather dampens the swing, but tight supply still makes spring timing meaningful.
If You're Selling And Buying, Read This Part
Most sellers are also buyers. So timing your sale is only half the equation.
Redfin breaks down three key moments for buyers:
Most new listings hit in late spring. If finding the right home matters more than anything else, be ready to shop in May when fresh inventory is at its highest flow.
Total inventory peaks in mid-summer. More flexible buyers with time on their side have the widest selection in June and July.
The best deals come in early fall. Discounts off asking price peak around September and October, when buyers have the most negotiating power.
The practical takeaway: if you're selling and buying at the same time, list early in the spring, sell quickly, and position yourself to buy in the summer when you have both inventory and some negotiating leverage.
The Timeline Most Sellers Underestimate
On average, homeowners start thinking about selling about seven months before they actually list. Getting a home ready (decluttering, repairs, staging, photography) takes most people around two months. From listing to closing, you're typically looking at 55 to 75 days.
The math matters. If you want to hit that late March San Diego window, you should be making decisions now.
And one final tip that most sellers overlook entirely: list on a Thursday. It's the consensus pick among real estate professionals for a reason. Buyers see your listing, schedule showings over the weekend, and you're looking at offers by Monday. Simple. Effective. Don't list on a Friday afternoon and lose two days of momentum.
The Bottom Line
The data points to a clear playbook for 2026 sellers:
- San Diego: aim for mid-to-late March
- National sweet spot: late April
- Second wave: early June if you miss the first window
- Best listing day: Thursday, every time
The data is a guide, not a mandate. Your personal timeline, your family, your finances all matter just as much as any report. The best time to sell is ultimately when you're ready to do it right.
Thinking about listing this spring? Schedule a consultation to help you map out your timeline and figure out what your home could realistically sell for in today's market. Call or text me at 858-335-4597 or use my Home Valuation to get started.
Sources: Redfin, "Late April Is the Best Time to List a Home For Sale," April 2026
