It is hands-down the most common question we get asked as an experienced Park City real estate team. It’s on every seller’s mind, and for good reason too. Selling your home is a big decision. Your home is likely one of your biggest assets and selling it requires nuance and attention to make sure you don’t leave anything on the table. 

Every home seller wants to maximize their sale, however, is it really possible to “time the market”? And if so, when is the best time to sell a home in Park City? 

The answer, like many things, depends.

Let’s take a closer look at the factors that could help make or break your Park City home sale. 

Are You Selling a Resort Property or a Neighborhood Property?

In Park City, there are two basic types of homes: resort properties and neighborhood properties. Each has its own distinct features, benefits, and potential buyers. 

For example, properties considered “resort” will likely get more attention in the winter, when we’re at our peak tourist season. These homes typically appeal to buyers looking for secondary properties and vacation homes. Selling a resort property during the winter months is great because you can really highlight the local atmosphere and amenities. 

Remember, when you’re selling a vacation property, you aren’t just selling brick and mortar, you’re selling a lifestyle! 

“Neighborhood” properties are mostly primary homes located in areas not typically frequented by tourists. Don’t get us wrong, these homes can be just as beautiful and exclusive as what you may find in the resort genre, but their location makes them more appealing to people looking to call Park City home year-round. These homes typically follow the more traditional pattern of selling from spring to winter.

Thinking about making the move to Park City? Here are some undeniable reasons to call Park City home.

Property Type Can Also Play a Factor 

On a more granular level, the actual type of home could play an important role in getting the timing right for your home sale. 

For example, someone in the market for a condo might be looking for something easy where they can quickly start living the Park City life and enjoy the amazing amenities. 

Someone in the market for a single-family home may be looking for a more meaningful investment. They might be more likely to take their time and may not care as much about the season they buy in. 

Additionally, someone purchasing vacant land might want to see what’s under all that snow and plan their build accordingly, making winter a poor time to sell.

Speaking of Which, What About the Weather? 

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to note that the climate in Park City plays a big role in timing the market for your sale. Winters here are long. However, when the snow is fully melted, many of us have beautiful yards with exquisite landscaping ready to show off. 

If your property fits that bill, and the exterior would be a big selling point, you may want to wait until summer to highlight it. Or, plan ahead and schedule some exterior photography in the summer if you’re set on selling in the winter.

Are you looking for more Park City home-selling resources? Read these blogs next:

• 6 Signs it’s Time to Sell Your Park City Vacation Home
• How to Sell Your Park City Vacation Home When You Can’t Be There
• Selling Secrets

Other Property Attributes That Impact Your Sales Strategy 

Selling your home is a deeply personal experience. Your motivations for selling as well as the property type, location, and selling goals are going to be completely different from the next person.

The right decision for one person may be wildly inappropriate for another. However, there are some key guidelines you can consider when selling your home that might give you an edge over competitors. Ask yourself: 

• Will the home appeal to buyers looking for homes in a great school district? If that’s the case, families will want to be moved in and settled by the start of the school year in August. Additionally, in Park City, there are no exceptions when it comes to attending school outside of your school district, which could make finding the right home slightly more challenging for families who have a specific school in mind. 
• Is the home close to the slopes? A slopeside condo, for example, should be sold in good time for the buyers to move in and be ready for the resort opening season, typically around mid-November.
• Is the property a resort rental? If so, you’ve likely booked up over the winter and it may be difficult to organize showings with people constantly in and out. (By the way, if you’re wondering if a property is in a neighborhood that allows short-term rentals, you can use this helpful tool to find out).

Selling Factors You Can Control

While it’s next to impossible to predict the state of the real estate market in the future, or if something in your life will change and require you to sell your home on short notice, there are a few aspects of selling that you can control. 

Never underestimate the power of a well-prepared home when it comes to selling. A well-prepped home will likely sell faster and for more money. Here are some key considerations:

1. Make sure all major repairs have been done and the home is in good condition. 
2. Clean, declutter, and clean again! A clean, tidy home makes a world of difference. 
3. Consider staging the home or making any other updates to help it appeal to buyers. 

Home preparations take time, so the time from the date you decide to sell to the date your home hits the market will likely depend a lot on the timing for these three tasks above. Remember, contractors can run behind on projects, and life can get in the way of your decluttering project, so make sure you give yourself ample time to complete your prep. 

A quick note on staging: While your taste in interior design is probably fantastic, it is a bit different from a professionally-staged property. Staging involves breathing life and space into a room, showcasing the best features while downplaying anything that might cause buyers to look at the next home. In today’s digital world, we have only a few seconds to capture the attention of buyers, and staging is the best way to do it! 

Discover more tips for preparing your home for sale in Park City right here:

• 8 Tips for Staging Your Home For Sale
• Top 10 Touchups Before You List Your Home
• Park City Winters are Fun AND Hard on Your Home

Is There a Fail-Safe Option?

We said at the very start that the best time to sell your Park City home depends on many factors. And that is true. However, there’s one thing you can do to make sure your home sells for top dollar in any market. 

Pricing. 

That’s right, a home that is priced correctly can sell 365 days per year, no matter what. So, how do you get the pricing right from the get-go? 

Pricing a home for sale is a science. Price the home too high, and it may scare off potential buyers, resulting in the home sitting on the market for too long, losing interest. Price it too low, and you may end up getting low offers and leaving too much on the table. 

When it comes to pricing, it’s best to leave it up to experienced experts. At CMFH, we’re proud to share everything we’ve learned over the past 30 years in business in Park City. Our pricing recommendations take into consideration all the factors mentioned above as well as your unique selling goals and motivations. 

The result is a completely customized selling strategy designed to sell your property as quickly and for as much money no matter what is going on with the market, or the season! 

Do you have questions about selling your home in Park City? Reach out to us today at 435-647-8035 or email us directly at info@cmfhparkcity.com.