Whether you eagerly await a buyer's offer for your land or plan to sell your property and establish a realistic timeline, it's crucial to understand how the time of year affects the offers you receive. While spring and summer are favored seasons for selling real estate and raw land, success is not limited to those times alone. The timing of your sale can significantly impact the quality and quantity of offers you receive, and there are benefits and downfalls to listing land for sale in every season. Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of selling in different seasons can help you determine the optimal time to list your property.
When is the Best Time of Year to Sell Land?
The best time of year to sell land depends on the type of land that you're selling and the location of the property. Generally, fall and winter are considered the best times to sell land. Desert, coastal, and temperate areas of the U.S. experience the highest sales activity during the winter, when the lower temperatures make site tours and visits more appealing. Likewise, ski areas and resort towns experience their busiest selling seasons during the cold months when vacationers fall in love with the winter wonderland and start looking for a snowy retreat.
Winter
Winter is considered one of the best times of year to sell land due to lower competition. There are a few pros and cons of selling land during the winter that sellers should be aware of:
Benefits of Selling Land in the Winter
Generally, there is less competition in the winter months, which may make this a great time of year to sell land. With less options to choose from, buyers don't have as many opportunities to be picky about their purchase, giving your property the opportunity to stick out. Since you'll face lower competition during the winter months, you can list your land at a higher price.
If your land is located in an area that is popular for winter activities such as skiing, winter is a terrific time to show off your land! Buyers can see the beauty of your property covered in snow, making it easier to imagine their dream winter cabin or lodge on the land. Additionally, many buyers are eager to make a purchase before the new year, which may lead to more aggressive offers.
Challenges of Selling Land in the Winter
Depending on where in the country your land is located, highlighting the physical aspects of your property can be difficult if it is covered in snow or difficult to access. The cold weather and potential for harsh conditions may discourage some buyers from viewing your property. When listing property for sale in the winter, it is important that your listing includes photos of the property year-round to give them a holistic picture of what to expect.
Additionally, with the holiday season in full swing, potential buyers may be more focused on family and festivities than purchasing property. Given that winter is a slow season for buying land, buyers may be more inclined to try and negotiate lower prices as well.
Spring
We typically associate springtime with warm weather, blooming flowers, and an enjoyable time of year to be outdoors. While these are a few great things that come with the spring season, another thing that spring brings is a good time of year to sell land. Sellers should be aware of the benefits and challenges of selling land in the spring:
Benefits of Selling Land in the Spring
The arrival of longer days and warmer weather often lures potential buyers out of their winter slumber and back into the housing market. As the winter snow melts and nature begins to come alive again, many buyers are excited to start their search for a new property. Spring typically signals the start of a peak demand season, as numerous individuals embark on the search for their ideal property.
The warmer weather makes it easier for people to explore land and envision themselves enjoying the property in the summer. With the new season comes a fresh start for many people, which can translate into an increased interest in buying land or property. As such, the demand for land tends to rise in the spring months starting around February, leading to higher offers from motivated buyers.
Additionally, when it comes to selling land, first impressions are crucial! It is important that the first time a potential buyer sees a property, it is in its most beautiful state, which includes the blooming flowers, green grass, and the sounds of nature that the spring season brings.
Challenges of Selling Land in the Spring
There are also challenges that arise from spring being a popular time for real estate transactions. As winter ends and nature blooms, properties can be presented in their best light, so there is more competition and options for buyers to choose from. Buyers will be browsing hundreds of listings very similar to yours during this season, so it’s important to be creative and intentional with your listing and marketing strategies.
Summer
Selling land during the warmer months of summer presents a unique set of opportunities and hurdles for landowners. The allure of clear, sunny days and extended daylight hours can accentuate the natural beauty and potential of your property, making it more appealing to prospective buyers. However, the summer season also brings its own challenges, including fluctuating market demands and potential overheating of real estate prices.
Benefits of Selling Land in the Summer
Summer is the peak selling season for real estate and undeveloped land. With warmer weather and longer days, potential buyers have more time to tour properties and make decisions. They are generally anxious to make a purchase so that they can enjoy the land while the weather is cooperating.
Challenges of Selling Land in the Summer
Just like spring, the increased competition and elevated inventory levels during the summer may make it harder to get top dollar for your property. That being said, listing land for sale in the summer months requires a lot of research in regards to pricing- overpricing in a very competitive market may deter potential buyers.
If you are listing your land for sale during the summer, it is very important to be intentional with your marketing strategies by understanding the best use case for your land. Is it suitable for hunting, agriculture, or something else? Knowing your target audience and the best use case for your land will help you showcase its unique features that make it valuable. Ensuring that you use high-quality photos and videos in your listing can also help it to stick out to potential buyers during this highly competitive time.
Fall
Transitioning into the fall season, the real estate market experiences a shift that can influence the sale of land in distinct ways. The fall season, marked by cooler temperatures and the onset of changing foliage, brings its own set of advantages and obstacles for landowners looking to sell. The serene beauty and comfortable climate of fall can make properties especially attractive, offering a picturesque backdrop that highlights the land's potential. However, as the days grow shorter and the market slows in anticipation of winter, sellers may face new challenges in attracting buyers.
Benefits of Selling Land in the Fall
Similar to spring, fall is another transitional period that can be an excellent time for selling land. As the leaves change colors and the weather cools down, potential buyers can see the beauty and potential of your property. Competition also declines in the fall, which presents an opportunity for your land to stick out along with more negotiating power since there are less available options available on the market.
Challenges of Selling Land in the Fall
As we head into winter, the demand for land declines, making it more challenging to sell during this season. However, fall can be a quieter time in the real estate market, meaning there may be less competition and more opportunities for your property to stand out. The key is to make sure your listing highlights the unique features of your land that will attract potential buyers, and to take advantage of nature's help with staging your land.
Regardless of when you choose to sell your land, understanding its unique attributes and best use cases can help you to set an appropriate price and market the property to your target audience. LandGate's free property report provides in-depth data about your land, including soil types, tree types, topography, exclusion zones, and more. Get your free property report on our map today:
If you're interested in making money on your land, consider listing it for lease or for sale on LandGate's marketplace for free! There are no commissions, no fees, and no obligations to accept any offers.
