What Is the Average Time to Sell a House in Arizona?

While the typical range is 40-61 days, with the right price, a top-performing Arizona agent, and timing your listing, your home could sell even faster. We’ll share expert selling tips and options throughout this post.

What is the best time to sell a house in Arizona?

Historically speaking, April and May are often the best months to sell a home nationwide, but that’s not necessarily the case in all parts of Arizona. While home sales pick up in the summer months, many cities in the state experience faster home sales in the cooler months of October and December.

However, in a state that has such varied climates and markets, not all selling seasons are created equal. The best time to enter the market can depend on local trends, the characteristics of your home, and buyer behaviors in your part of the Grand Canyon State.

“As crazy as it may seem, our summer season (with 110-degree temps and up) is still often really busy,” Offutt explains. “People are looking for vacation homes and are ready to house hunt, but they’ll shop in the early mornings before it gets too hot.”

Below, we’ll look at some city examples taken from our Best Time to Sell Calculator, which uses housing market data HomeLight has collected to estimate the best and worst months to sell your home. The calculator presents data based on two criteria — if you want to make the most money, or which months are best to sell your house fast.

In the Phoenix central-state area:

• Best time for more money: If you’re in the Phoenix area and your goal is to get the most money from your home sale, the best months to close on your sale are April or November. Since it typically takes about three months from listing to close, you would ideally list your home in either January or August to achieve a selling price that’s 2.07% to 2.69% higher than the yearly average. On a $500,000 Arizona home, that can be up to $13,500 more in proceeds.
• Best time to sell fast: If your goal is to sell your Phoenix area house fast, listing in July could mean selling your house 3 days sooner than if you listed in any other month, with the fastest sales closing in October.

In southern areas like Tucson

• Best time for more money: In Tucson, the highest selling prices are typically a month earlier in March. So, to maximize your profits, you would want to list your home in December to achieve a selling price that’s 5.42% higher than the yearly average.
• Best time to sell fast: If speed is your top priority, listing your Tucson home in July could help you sell your house 3 days faster, with the quickest sales typically closing in October.

In northern areas like Flagstaff

• Best time for more money: In the cooler region of Flagstaff, the highest selling prices are in October. So, to maximize your profits, you would want to list your home in July to achieve a selling price that’s 8.87% higher than the yearly average.
• Best time to sell fast: If speed is your top priority, listing your Tucson home in April could help you sell your house 15 days faster, with the quickest sales typically closing in July.

It’s important to note that while these Arizona selling trends above offer helpful insights, the ideal selling time for you can vary depending on market conditions and your personal circumstances. Visit HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator for a more customized estimate based on your home’s location.

What factors influence the home selling timeline in Arizona?

According to Offutt, the biggest factor that controls the home-selling clock is your asking price. “For a quick sale, you have to price it appropriately,” she says. “With the right price, you can have multiple offers come in.”

Beyond price, other factors also play a role in how fast your home can sell, such as the property’s condition, attributes, and proximity to amenities.

“In our area, smaller garages and two-story homes tend to sit on the market a little longer,” Offutt says. “Also, smoking inside of a home can greatly affect your days on market.” She adds that the quality of marketing materials and the experience of your real estate agent can impact how long it takes to sell a home.

Here are some things to consider in Arizona:

1. Seasonal demand: As noted above, Arizona experiences distinct seasonal patterns that can influence selling times. Real estate agents note that the winter months, when snowbirds and retirees flock to the state, often see increased buyer activity and faster selling times. Conversely, the summer months, with extreme heat and a potential slowdown in tourism in some regions, may see a slight dip in buyer demand and longer selling times.
2. Climate and weather: Arizona’s climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters, can impact selling times. Here again, real estate agents have observed that extreme temperatures during the summer months can deter some buyers. On the other hand, the pleasant weather during the fall, winter, and spring seasons can attract more buyers and expedite the selling process.
3. Seasonal events and festivals: Arizona hosts various seasonal events and festivals throughout the year, attracting tourists and potential buyers. During these events, there is often increased buyer interest and faster selling times. Events such as the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and the Waste Management Phoenix Open can create a surge in visitor numbers and heightened market activity.
4. Retirement and snowbird market: Arizona is renowned for its appeal to retirees and snowbirds seeking a warm climate and active lifestyle. Real estate agents highlight the impact of the retiree and snowbird market on selling times. Areas with a high concentration of retirement communities, or desirable amenities for this demographic, such as golf courses and active adult communities, may experience increased demand and faster selling times.
5. Vacation and resort market: Arizona is home to several popular vacation and resort destinations, such as Scottsdale, Sedona, and Lake Havasu City. Real estate agents emphasize that the vacation and resort market can have its own dynamics, with selling times influenced by seasonal tourism, rental demand, and buyer preferences for second homes. Properties in these areas may experience fluctuating selling times depending on the vacation and tourism seasons.

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What will help my Arizona house sell faster?

While selling times can vary widely based on many factors, there are certain steps you can take to help your Arizona home sell faster. Below are some tried and true tips:

• Prepare your home: Spearman says her clients that have success apply careful preparations, such as fresh paint, new or freshly-cleaned carpets, a deep cleaning, and landscaping or garden work. We’ll share some top preparation tips in the next section.
• Emphasize outdoor living: In Arizona, outdoor living spaces can significantly influence a buyer’s decision. If you have a backyard patio or deck area, make it as inviting as possible. In your listing and photos, highlight features like a pool, outdoor kitchen, or garden.
• Stage your home: Well-staged homes can often sell faster. Consider using a professional home staging company that can showcase your house in its best light.
• Price correctly: Overpriced homes can linger on the market. Well-priced homes can exceed typical DOMs. Spearman recounts, “I had a home recently that was on the market for 0 days before we went under contract because it was priced correctly.” Work with your agent to set a competitive price based on recent sales of comparable homes in your Arizona city.
• Professional photography: Quality images can significantly impact online home searches, so even if you think you’re good with a camera, consider hiring a professional photographer. Most top agents will arrange for photos.
• Highlight unique features: Whether it’s a view or proximity to desirable amenities or locations, make sure to feature what makes your home special.
• Get a home inspection: Preemptively addressing potential home-selling obstacles can speed up the selling process and provide potential buyers with peace of mind.

If you need to speed up your Arizona home sale, see our post: I Need to Sell My House Fast: What Are My Options? For a more personalized analysis of your home’s potential selling timeline, consider speaking with a knowledgeable Arizona real estate agent in your city.

How should I prepare my Arizona house to sell?

Getting your Arizona home ready for sale is a crucial step to making a good impression and securing a fast sale. Seasoned agents like Offutt know that most buyers prefer to walk into a clean, inviting home that is ready to live in. For a speedy sale, your home needs to be in good condition, and everything should be in working order.

“Simple preparations are best,” Offutt says. “Start by boxing and decluttering, remove personal items, and remember less is more.”

The tips below, while they may seem simple, can be the deciding factor for a buyer choosing between your Arizona home and another property down the street.

Here are some key tips to prepare your Arizona home for a fast sale:

• Deep clean: An immaculate home will make potential buyers feel welcome. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service for the best results.
• Upgrade landscaping: Arizona buyers love outdoor spaces. Invest in professional landscaping to enhance first-impression curb appeal.
• Improve energy efficiency: Install energy-efficient appliances or solar panels to appeal to eco-conscious Arizona buyers.
• Fresh paint: A fresh coat of neutral-colored paint can make your Arizona home feel new and well-maintained.
• Fix and repair: Ensure any necessary repairs are done, from fixing leaky faucets to replacing worn-out carpets.
• Curb appeal: Improve the exterior of your Arizona home with well-maintained landscaping, freshly painted doors, or new outdoor lighting to attract more buyers.
• Declutter: Keep your Arizona home tidy and free of personal items to help buyers envision their own lives there.
• Air conditioning maintenance: Ensure your air conditioning unit is serviced and working optimally, as Arizona buyers will likely check this, especially in the southern regions of the state.

By considering these obvious factors and seeking professional advice, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about when to sell your Arizona home.

How can I sell my Arizona home fast for cash?

There may be circumstances where you need to sell your Arizona home quickly and are willing to accept a cash offer to expedite the process. While a cash offer will typically mean accepting a discounted purchase price, the speed and convenience may be the solution you need if you are relocating for a job, dealing with financial difficulties, or managing an inherited property that you can’t maintain.

While you could reach out to individual Arizona house-buying companies or look for “We Buy Houses” websites, there’s an easier and more efficient way to sell your house for cash — through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform.

Simple Sale connects you to the largest network of cash buyers in the U.S., streamlining your home sale process and letting you control your move-out date. By answering a few questions about your home and selling plans, you can receive an all-cash offer with no obligation in as little as 24 hours. This means you could close on your Arizona home sale in as few as 10 days.

If you just need to move fast, buy before you sell

If you’re a homeowner more concerned about moving into your next house quickly, consider HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program that lets you easily tap into your existing equity and start home shopping without waiting for your current home to sell.

Not only does this program help you make a stronger, more attractive offer with fewer contingencies, but you won’t need to move twice, saving you time and money. Then you can sell your current home unoccupied and staged. According to a recent HomeLight survey of top agents across the country, a well-staged home can sell for 13% more than an unstaged home.

Here’s how HomeLight Buy Before You Sell works in Arizona:

Ready to sell your Arizona home?

Selling your Arizona house can be a huge undertaking, but knowing the average time it takes to sell and the factors that can speed up the process can give you a competitive edge. By preparing your house effectively, pricing it right, and timing your sale, you can achieve a swifter sale and a higher selling price.

If you’re planning to sell a house in Arizona, get expert advice tailored to your specific situation. HomeLight can connect you with top-performing local agents who have a track record of selling homes quickly and for the best price. These agents can guide you through each step and ensure the selling process is moving along at a faster-than-average pace.

Source: (DCA88 / Depositphotos)