Don’t Let the Calendar Control Your Home Sale

In much of the country, real estate moves in waves. Spring kicks off the frenzy—sellers rush to list, buyers flood the market, and summer keeps the momentum going. By fall, activity starts to taper off. Winter in places like the Midwest or Northeast can bring things to a near standstill, with snowstorms, icy roads, and school calendars all working against a smooth move.

Washington, however, plays by different rules.

🌧️ Weather That Works for You

While we’re known for drizzle, our climate is surprisingly cooperative. Winters here are cool and damp, not frozen and forbidding. Open houses still happen in December, and buyers still tour homes with umbrellas in hand. Unlike regions where blizzards or triple-digit heat shut things down, Washington’s mild weather keeps the market moving year-round.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 School Calendars Matter—But Don’t Dominate

Yes, families with school-aged kids often prefer to move in spring or summer—it’s easier to switch districts without disrupting the school year. But that’s only part of the picture. Singles, retirees, military families relocating to JBLM, and professionals moving for work in Seattle or Bremerton aren’t bound by the academic calendar. Many actually prefer the quieter pace of fall or winter, when competition is lower and negotiations can be smoother.

📈 Interest Rates Trump the Seasons

If there’s one factor that truly sets the pace in Washington’s housing market, it’s interest rates. Mortgage rates directly affect how much buyers can afford, and even small changes can create big shifts in activity. When rates drop, purchasing power rises and demand surges—whether it’s January or June. When rates climb, momentum slows, regardless of the season.

For sellers, this means watching rates may matter more than waiting for “the busy season.” And for buyers, paying attention to the financial landscape often beats sitting on the sidelines until spring.

🧭 A Market That Moves Steadily

Because Washington attracts a wide variety of buyers, demand doesn’t rise and fall as sharply as it does elsewhere. Families, professionals, retirees, and relocating military households all keep the market active in every season. That’s why you’ll see steady sales throughout the year—our housing rhythm is more balanced, without the dramatic peaks and valleys of other regions.

🏡 Seller Advantages by Season

Spring and Summer
These months are still considered the “busy season” for good reason. Longer days make showings easier, and homes look their best with blooming gardens and bright skies. Families aiming to move before the school year add to demand, which can mean more foot traffic and faster offers. But with more listings hitting the market, sellers also face stiffer competition.

Fall and Winter
With fewer homes for sale, your property can stand out. Buyers shopping during this time are often more serious, ready to move regardless of the calendar. Cozy interiors, warm lighting, and even tasteful holiday touches can make your home feel especially inviting. Less competition and focused buyers create real opportunities for sellers who list during these months. Plus, buyer expectations for your exterior are more forgiving in the fall and winter. No one expects your yard to be immaculate or your flowers to be in bloom.

🚚 Relocations Keep the Market Moving

Another reason our market doesn’t slow down is the steady stream of relocations. Military transfers play a major role—service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County and the Naval Base in Bremerton receive orders throughout the year, not just in spring.

Beyond the military, job-driven moves in tech, healthcare, and other industries add constant demand. Retirees downsizing, families upgrading, and couples seeking a quieter lifestyle also keep the market active. These decisions aren’t seasonal—they’re personal.

🎄 Holiday Season Considerations

Many homeowners hesitate to list during the holidays, assuming buyers won’t be active. But the opposite is often true. The buyers still shopping in November and December tend to be highly motivated—relocating for work, upsizing before year-end, or making financial moves before January.

With fewer competing listings, your home can draw more attention. And when staged with warm lighting and subtle seasonal décor, it can feel like the perfect place to celebrate future holidays. Far from being a “dead zone,” the holidays can actually deliver some of the year’s most committed buyers.

📊 Market Statistics & Local Proof Points

It’s one thing to say Washington’s market stays active year-round—but the data backs it up. Take November 2024, for example: it was Sievers Real Estate’s biggest month of the year. Instead of slowing down before the holidays, activity surged, and homes sold at a strong pace.

MLS data for Pierce and Kitsap Counties shows the same trend. While spring and summer bring a slight bump in new listings, closed sales continue steadily through fall and winter. For sellers, that means waiting until spring doesn’t guarantee better results. For buyers, it’s proof that the right home might appear any month of the year.

✅ The truth is simple

Washington’s housing market doesn’t hibernate. While other states may pause for snowstorms or sweltering summers, Pierce and Kitsap Counties keep moving forward—driven by mild weather, steady relocations, and interest rates that matter more than the month on the calendar.

For buyers, that means the “right time” isn’t about waiting for spring—it’s about being ready when the right home and the right rate align. For sellers, it means your home can shine just as brightly in November as it can in May.

In other words, don’t let the calendar control your home sale. In Washington, opportunity is always in season.

Hear What Jennifer and Chris Have to Say About the Seasonality in Washington:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ay2Xqs9k0_Q?si=Yk-8BMSAPFOHRycB

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Western Washington?
In Washington, opportunity doesn’t follow the calendar. Whether you’re a seller ready to stand out in a less crowded market, or a buyer looking to take advantage of lower competition and shifting interest rates, there’s no reason to wait for “the right season.”

At Sievers Real Estate, we’ll help you navigate every step with local insight, honest guidance, and a strategy tailored to your goals—whether you’re moving this fall, in the middle of winter, or next spring.

Sievers Real Estate

☎️ +1(253) 851-0745

✉️ info@sieversrealestate.com