When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Atlanta?

5 selling trends in Atlanta

1. Home prices holding steady

After rapid appreciation during the pandemic years, home prices in Atlanta stabilized in 2024. The median home price remains strong, but growth has slowed compared to previous years due to affordability challenges caused by higher mortgage rates. Sellers can still achieve competitive prices, but pricing strategically based on neighborhood-specific trends is crucial.

2. Spring and early summer remain the hottest selling seasons

The best time to sell a home in Atlanta continues to be March through June, when buyer activity peaks. Warmer weather, school-year transitions, and tax refunds contribute to increased demand. However, sellers should note that homes listed in early 2024 faced slightly longer time-on-market due to economic uncertainty.

Proper staging, competitive pricing, and marketing are essential to attract buyers quickly. Following the changes to commission rules and regulations that took effect in August 2024, sellers may also consider paying for the buyer’s agent’s commission as a way to market their property, particularly to first-time buyers who feel priced out of the market. In certain markets, properties also sold faster in other months, which makes the guidance of a real estate agent well-versed in your local market important in determining the best time to sell.

3. Active cash buyers

Mortgage rates remain a crucial factor for both buyers and sellers in 2024. While rates remain within 6% to 7%, higher borrowing costs have made affordability a challenge, particularly for first-time buyers. However, cash buyers and investors are still very active in Atlanta, especially in sought-after neighborhoods. Cash home purchases in metro Atlanta accounted for 36.4% of sales last year — more than the national average of 29.2%. If your home is priced well and move-in ready, it can attract serious buyers.

4. Low inventory

Despite cooling demand in some price ranges and more properties hitting the market in 2024, inventory levels remain low compared to pre-pandemic levels, and the construction of new homes has declined compared to last year. Well-maintained homes in desirable areas often receive multiple offers, especially if priced competitively. However, overpriced homes or those needing major updates may sit longer on the market.

5. Move-in ready homes sell faster

In 2024, buyers prefer turnkey homes over fixer-uppers, as renovation costs remain high due to inflation and supply chain disruptions. If your home needs updates, investing in minor upgrades — like fresh paint, modern fixtures, and curb appeal improvements — can make a significant difference in attracting buyers. Staging and professional photography are also key to making your listing stand out in a competitive market.

Insider tips to help sell your Atlanta area home

There are things you can do to help your home sell faster and for more money. Dollar gives her clients a list of 47 things they can do to achieve their goal of selling quickly and for top dollar.

“The biggest thing that I’ve seen that people need to do is declutter. Do some painting, clean the carpet. A lot of times you don’t have to do that, but to make more money, you want your house to be in the best light when potential clients come in,” Dollar says.

Staging can make a big impact as well because you want people to be able to see themselves living in your house. For instance, “I’ve had to explain to a couple of sellers ‘let’s take the bed out because it takes up the entire room and let’s do something different,’” Dollar shares.

Ultimately, Dollar simplifies it by saying, “The best thing to do to sell a home faster is to make sure the outside looks nice and has nice curb appeal and make sure the house in the interior is decluttered and clean.”

Connect With a Top Agent to Sell Your Atlanta Home

It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property and how soon you’re looking to sell.

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Find a top agent in Atlanta for a successful home sale

When you decide to sell, finding out the best time to sell your Atlanta home so it sells faster and for more money can make it a more productive and positive experience.

Another factor in having the best home-selling experience is to partner with a top Atlanta agent by using HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform. Our matching service tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to find you the best agent based on your needs and location.

Your agent can further advise you on the best time to sell your house as well as walk you through the steps to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers.

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