Over the last five years, houses prices in Louisiana have seen a steady increase of almost 17 percent.
Homeowner demand has created a hot market. This creates stiff competition that is driving prices above listing prices. And don’t forget the multiple offers they’re receiving.
Louisiana’s unique “melting pot” of cultures is appealing to out-of-state buyers. They want to experience its vibrant jazz scene in New Orleans and the amazing food of cajun country around the Lafayette area, but also its relaxed style of living.
And with remote working on the rise, people are taking the opportunity for a lifestyle change when they previously couldn’t.
And as a seller, this is good news. But, timing is everything. Knowing the best time of year to sell a house is crucial.
Lucky for you, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Find out when to sell a home in the Lafayette, Louisiana area here.
Best Time of Year to Sell a House
Spring is typically the season when most home selling activity starts. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and buyers are digging into their wallets!
Spring is a popular season for house hunting as the warm weather brings out eager buyers willing to spend more time outside in search of their dream property.
Is it completely dependent on the weather?
Yes. Kind of.
The warmer weather does bring out an influx of buyers. But it also boosts your home’s curb appeal. This is especially true for homes with front gardens.
Warm sunshine brings greener grass, brighter flowers, and leafier trees. It’s also better weather for moving. Buyers want to avoid rain, sleet, and cold temps when moving to their new home.
Summer is also typically a good season to sell your home. Since the school year ends in late spring, some families plan to purchase their new home around this time of the year.
And with interest rates and house prices predicted to rise, buyers are looking to buy sooner rather than later.
Best Month to Sell a House
As for the best month? It depends on who you ask.
Historically, it was May. More specifically, the first two weeks of the month. This was a lucrative time for sellers to pounce.
However, experts now suggest March is the best month to sell a house. Specifically, the second half thanks to increased competition from the buyer side creating a sense of urgency.
During this month, more houses hit the market. And, with more buyers to compete with, there will be pressure for a homebuyer to bid higher to secure a property.
Some research also suggests June will give you the best chance of getting the highest sale price for your home.
Keep in mind this is dependent on what area you live in. For a quick sale in Louisiana, experts suggest aiming for July. This is when buyer competitiveness is at an all-time high.
But, sometimes you can’t pick and choose which month you sell.
Unfortunate situations arise. Thankfully, there are alternative ways to solve your real estate problems without going through a realtor.
Worst Time of Year to Sell a House
Fall and winter are typically quieter seasons to sell a house. That’s because there are fewer homes on the market and fewer people are competing to buy the houses.
Just like the weather, the housing market tends to be sluggish. Prospective buyers aren’t interested in braving the cold during the holiday season. And they also don’t want to enjoy Thanksgiving surrounded by moving boxes.
Plus, families are less likely to want to move with school-age children in the middle of a busy school year. It isn’t ideal. And no one likes to move during a Louisiana wet winter.
If you do decide to sell your home during winter, you will have to work harder to appeal to buyers. It is possible though. Just don’t expect a bidding war!
Of course, if you’re a buyer and willing to brave the freezing conditions and limited stock, this is the season for you.
If you do need to sell in December, you do have options. Some companies make cash offers on houses at any time of the year. This is an excellent option for those in financial distress and who need a quick fix.
Worst Month to Sell a House
As for the worst month? It’s December, closely followed by January and February.
This probably comes as no surprise.
Both buyers and sellers are typically keen to be in (or out) of their homes come the holiday season. December is a month filled with planned vacations, work Christmas parties, and time spent with visiting relatives.
Plus, most businesses take the opportunity to rest over Christmas – that includes moving companies.
Of course, the weather is another major reason why it’s hard to sell in December. Homeowners would rather slouch in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa than brave the inclement weather.
Lousiana doesn’t experience snowstorms like its Northern friends. However, research still shows that active listings are in decline during November and December.
Home Selling Process
Putting a property on the market can sometimes feel like a daunting task. With so many things to consider, a home selling checklist can help you stay on track.
It’s also important to understand the home selling process. With a market currently favoring sellers, now is the perfect time to take advantage.
Are you ready to put your property up for sale, but not sure whether to take the traditional or alternate selling route?
Let’s take a look at both to help you decide which option works for you.
Selling with a Local LA Agent
Unsure of the selling process? Hiring a professional agent might be the best option for you. They can do all the hard work for you, including:
- Negotiating negotiations
- Navigating paperwork
- Obtaining a precise valuation of your home
- Marketing and advertising savvy
- Experienced and professional
However, working with a local agent does come at a cost. Let’s have a look at some of the cons:
- Pay commission to the agent (usually 6%)
- Pay closing costs (usually 2%)
- Sales can fall through
- The sale is often subject to an appraisal
- Sold times can vary
- The number of showings can also vary
- Closing dates fluctuate between 30 to 60 days
- Repairs are negotiated during an inspection
Depending on your goals, a local LA agent might be a godsend. But, they might become a financial burden if your house spends too long on the market. Or, if it doesn’t sell for the price you anticipated.
Selling To Homebuyers Acadiana
The typical selling process isn’t for everyone. Some houses aren’t market-ready, and may not ever be without a lot of elbow grease. Depending on your situation, a quick cash sale might be exactly what you need.
So, who is best suited to a quick buy selling process?
- Those in a foreclosure home or are about to be
- Have frustrating tenants that they can’t get rid of
- Own a vacant property
- Need to relocate quickly (for a job or otherwise)
- Inherit an unwanted property
- Avoid paying realtor commissions
- Going through an unexpected divorce or tragedy
- Have little to no equity
As you can see, companies like Homebuyers Acadiana can help a wide range of people with differing circumstances.
But what are the benefits? (spoiler: there are many)
- No commission/fees
- No closing costs
- Can pay you cash
- No appraisal is needed (we make cash offers)
- Fast offer (usually within 24-48 hours)
- Just one showing is required (us!)
- The closing date is your choice
- We pay for all repairs
Take your time to consider each option. Both offer pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide which works best for your situation.
Home Selling Tips for Different Seasons
Spring is the ultimate time of the year to sell your home. However, as we’ve already mentioned, this isn’t always possible.
Depending on your situation, you might not get to pick and choose what season to sell your home in. So, we’ve compiled selling tips for different seasons to help you no matter the time of the year.
Selling a Home in Summer
Competing with summer vacations, humid weather, and plenty of festivals is always going to be a hard task. Unfortunately, as a seller, the market is usually saturated and you might have to deal with buyers who aren’t as serious – “window shoppers”.
But there are also many pros to selling during summer too, including:
- Buyer motivation
- Convenient time to move
- Houses “show” better
- Easy to buy and sell at the time same
If you’re ready to move this summer, don’t despair, it is possible!
Selling a Home in Fall
The second hardest season to sell is in the fall. But don’t fall over with fear that you won’t sell.
With the frenzy of the holiday season over, people are back to the 9–5 grind and seriously considering their future. And that includes buying a new home before the holiday season begins all over again.
When selling in the leafy season, remember to:
- Capitalize on fall colors
- Boost your curb appeal
- Dress the windows
- Clean up the yard
- Talk up your school district
- List early in the season
If you wait until late October or November, you might miss your opportunity. List early and take advantage before the weather turns.
Selling a Home in Winter
Winter. A seller’s worst nightmare, right?
Selling in winter does have its cons. The cold weather conditions combined with the busy holiday season puts you at a serious disadvantage. It’s not ideal for buyers or sellers.
Plus, the wintery weather doesn’t do any favors on the curb appeal of your property. Especially after a Louisiana downpour.
But don’t despair. Here are some tips to help entice buyers:
- Let in the light
- Consider staging your home
- Turn up the heat
- Create a cozy mood
- Show off your home’s strengths
With the right adjustments, winter might just become your favorite season to sell!
Selling a Home in Spring
Ahh, spring! The holy grail of seasons! Just put a “For Sale” sign out front and watch the offers roll in.
It’s that simple, right?
For some, maybe! But it doesn’t hurt to take some extra measures to ensure your house does sell. You don’t want to be caught out because you were too cocky!
Here’s how to best prepare your home for a spring sale:
- Check out the competition
- Tour your own home (would you buy it?)
- Organize your paperwork
- Prepare for a quick sell
- Clean up and do repairs
- Price it right (and be prepared to negotiate)
And most importantly, start packing! Spring houses do sell. And they can sell quickly!
Ready to Sell Your Home?
When it comes down to it, the best time of year to sell a house is when you’re ready.
Unfortunately for some, knowing when to sell a house isn’t up for debate. If you’re facing foreclosure, needing to relocate quickly, or going through a divorce, the choice isn’t up to you.
That’s where we come in.
At Homebuyers Acadiana, we buy houses in Lafayette LA, and across the Acadiana region. With over ten years of experience, we know what it takes to sell your house fast. That means no realtor fees, no repairs, and no hassle.
We buy as-is, no matter the condition.
Sell your home directly to us and save yourself the headache of preparing your home for the market.
No matter your situation, we’ll take care of you and your home. Call us today to see if your Lafayette property qualifies for us to make you an all-cash offer.