What the research says about Boston
Zillow's Best Time to List analysis looked at 2025 sales in the 35 largest U.S. metro areas. It found that sellers who listed in the last two weeks of May earned the highest prices nationally, 1.7% more. In Boston the gain was larger: 3.4% more, or $25,300 on average (Zillow, Mar. 18, 2026). Zillow's explanation is that buyers want to move before summer and the new school year, and more buyers shopping at once lifts prices.
Two cautions. This is one year of data and a premium over other times of the year, not a guarantee, and it is a Greater Boston number, not one for Melrose or Lynn. Zillow's own economist adds that "the best week to list ultimately depends on what is happening in your local market."
An older study shows the same pattern with a different gap. Redfin looked at over 7 million homes listed from 2010 to 2014 nationally (Redfin, 2015, updated 2020). In spring, 39% went under contract within 30 days and 15% sold above list; winter was close behind at 38% and 15%, then summer at 36% and 12%, and fall at 34% and 11%. The data are old, so we use them only for the pattern.
Seasonality in our 8 towns (Redfin, 2024 to 2026)
We combined monthly Redfin data for Melrose, Malden, Medford, Stoneham, Wakefield, Saugus, Lynn and Peabody for the 24 months June 2024 to May 2026, counting only town-months with at least 10 sales. Each calendar month below is two years of data. "Days" is a sales-weighted average of town median days on market. "Over list" is the share of sales above list price.
| Month of sale | Sales counted | Days on market | Average sale vs list | Sold above list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 343 | 27 | +0.9% | 51% |
| February | 244 | 34 | +1.4% | 49% |
| March | 332 | 24 | +2.4% | 61% |
| April | 404 | 19 | +3.7% | 65% |
| May | 484 | 18 | +4.0% | 69% |
| June | 629 | 17 | +4.8% | 71% |
| July | 587 | 17 | +3.7% | 69% |
| August | 561 | 20 | +3.2% | 65% |
| September | 470 | 22 | +2.3% | 57% |
| October | 520 | 21 | +1.9% | 55% |
| November | 448 | 20 | +1.8% | 58% |
| December | 489 | 26 | +0.8% | 48% |
Read this with one delay in mind: a June sale usually went on the market in April or May, and a December sale in October or November. So the table shows when homes closed, which lags the best time to list by about a month or two. That lines up with Zillow's late-May finding.
Statewide Realtor.com numbers say the same thing: the median days on market was 27 in April 2026 and 29 in May 2026, versus 63 in December 2025 and 66 in January 2026 (FRED).
Interest rates matter as much as the season
Zillow notes that "when rates fall, more shoppers reenter the market. When rates rise, some buyers pause," which can amplify or soften the spring surge. In 2026 the Freddie Mac 30-year average fell from 6.16% in early January to about 6.2% to 6.5% in April, then rose to 7.28% on October 1 (Freddie Mac). A year earlier it was 6.34%.
A one-point jump in the rate cuts what many buyers can borrow. That is why a sale in a month with a higher rate can sit longer than the table suggests. You cannot predict rates. You can price to the current buyer, not last spring's.
If you must sell in winter, or late fall
- You have fewer competitors. Fewer homes are listed in December to February, and buyers who are out looking are usually serious. That is why winter was nearly as strong as spring in Redfin's older national study.
- Expect it to take longer. In our towns, February sales averaged 34 days against 17 in June.
- Price to the season, not to last June's sale. January and December average sale prices were only about 1% above list in our data, against nearly 5% in June.
- Show well in the dark. Light every room, clear walks and driveways of snow, and keep the heat on. Photos taken in winter can look worse than the house does.
- Consider listing in late February or March if you can wait; sales in March are already at 24 days and 61% above list.
Your timeline matters more than the calendar
A 3.4% premium on a $750,000 house is about $25,000, but carrying a mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities for four months can cost close to that. If you must move by a date, an estate has to close, or a divorce, a job change or a bill is driving the sale, the best time is when you are ready, with the house priced to the current market. Use the net proceeds calculator to add up carrying costs, and read how long it takes to sell to count backwards from your deadline.
If the calendar is working against you, a cash buyer may close in 2 to 4 weeks at a lower price; see cash home buyers and sell a house fast. Home Options MA does not buy houses; we introduce sellers to independent buyers and licensed agents who may pay us a fee. You can compare options at the comparison tool.