What Is the Best Time of Year To Sell My Home in Oregon?

By Will Fendon

For nearly 20 years, Will Fendon has been a top-producing Realtor in Portland, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and surrounding areas.

Is spring really the best time to sell your home in 2026, or is that just something we’ve all gotten used to believing? While the answer used to be pretty straightforward, the reality going into 2026 looks a little different.

For years, the common belief in real estate has been that spring is the ideal time to sell. More buyers are active, homes show better, and the market generally feels more alive. That thinking became almost automatic for homeowners and agents alike.

How the market has evolved. The traditional spring market broke during the pandemic, when tight inventory and year-round demand led to frequent, fast sales. From 2023 through 2025, higher interest rates and lower affordability slowed the market and made buyers more cautious.

As we head into 2026, rates have eased, buyer confidence is improving, and more buyers are expected to return. That means selling is less about perfectly timing spring and more about knowing how to position your home in a more competitive market.

Here are three key insights you should know:

1. Timing is about standing out. In 2026, selling may be less about hitting a specific season and more about positioning your home effectively. When more homes come on the market at the same time, standing out becomes harder. That’s why waiting for spring just because “that’s what everyone does” may not always work in a seller’s favor.

Selling in January or February can actually work to a seller’s advantage. Inventory is typically lower, which means less competition. The buyers who are active during this time of year tend to be serious and motivated, and there’s often pent-up demand from buyers who didn’t find the right home in the fall. For sellers who are ready, this can be a way to get ahead of the spring surge instead of blending into it.

2. Local data matters more than national headlines. National trends can give us a general sense of what’s happening, but real estate has always been hyperlocal. A 2025 study by United Van Lines actually showed that more people are moving to Oregon than anywhere else in the country. That kind of migration data can be exciting for sellers, but it’s still the local numbers that matter most when making a decision.

Rather than assuming spring is best, sellers are better served by looking at what’s happening right in their neighborhood. That includes how many homes are currently for sale, how those homes compare in size and price, how long they’re taking to sell, and what prices they’re actually closing at.

Details like days on market, absorption rate, and price per square foot can provide much clearer clues about when the timing is right.

3. Smart pricing beats perfect timing. Even with improving conditions, buyers are still picky. Interest rates may be lower than they were, but they’re still high enough that buyers want to feel confident they’re getting value. Homes that are priced intelligently and presented well have a much better chance of standing out, selling faster, and selling for more than homes that simply wait for the spring market to arrive.

Real estate has never been one size fits all. While spring may still make sense for some sellers, it’s no longer the automatic answer it once was. If you’re thinking about selling, don’t hesitate to send me a message at will@fendonproperties.com. I’ll help you dig into the data and see what makes sense for you.