3 Pros and Cons to Listing Your Home During the Spring

Thinking of putting your home on the market? Here's why spring is -- and isn't -- a good bet.

If you're on the fence about listing your home, you may be thinking of taking that leap during the spring. But is spring really a good time to sell? Here's what to know.

The pros

There are plenty of good reasons to list a home in the spring.

1. There are more buyers on the hunt

During spring, buyers tend to come out after hibernating for the winter. It's common for parents of school-age kids to house-hunt during the spring, because they can schedule their mortgage closings and move-in dates in the summer, when school's not in session and their calendars tend to be more open. If you list your home in the spring, you may have more buyers eager to pounce.

2. You can maximize curb appeal

If you have stunning landscaping, it's hard to show it off when there's snow on the ground and flowers aren't in bloom. Listing a home in the spring means you can wow buyers with curb appeal -- and perhaps command a higher asking price.

3. Showings won't get canceled due to weather

When you list a home in the winter, you risk having to postpone open houses or individual showings if harsh weather strikes. The result? Your home could sit on the market longer than you'd like it to, and the more days it goes unsold, the more bargaining power buyers get. During the spring, you're less likely to encounter severe weather that could impede finding a buyer.

The cons

While there are perks to listing a home during the spring, here are some drawbacks to consider.

1. There's more competition

Spring has historically been a popular time to list, so you may find that there are more homes in your neighborhood to compete with. You may end up lowering your price to attract a buyer.

2. Real estate agents are juggling more clients

Because so many people put their homes up for sale during the spring, real estate agents can get overloaded. The result? You may not get the customer service you hope for. And when you're looking at paying a commission to a real estate agent, that's not good.

3. You have to juggle selling a home with school

If you have school-aged children, you probably have a jam-packed schedule filled with exams, extracurricular activities, and social obligations. Many of those events taper off during the summer, when people are away, and during the winter, when there are few outdoor sports and plans tend to be lighter. If you list your home during the spring, you have to deal with potential buyers invading your space while you're busy with the hectic nature of the school year.

Listing a home during the spring can be a mixed bag. Weigh the pros and cons. Better yet, talk to people who have listed during the spring to see what they experienced. Hearing what other people went through could help you make the right call.