Berkshire Hathaway sends urgent message to home sellers

10 May 2026, 12:07 · The Fresno Bee

America has been experiencing a seller's market for several years - but now the market is self-correcting, and experts even consider some metro areas to be buyer's markets.

This means sellers have less power than a few years ago. Now that the housing market is shifting, you probably have a lot of questions as you prep your home to sell.

Can you still earn a profit from selling your home? What are tricks for selling your home fast? What's the best time to sell your house?

In my years of reporting on the real estate market, I've learned that you can't always control when you sell your house. Sometimes, life chooses for you when a big change comes along that forces you to move to a new area.

But if you do have control over when you sell, then Berkshire Hathaway Home Services has some guidance.

A new Berkshire Hathaway article revealed the best time to sell your home. And the timeframe may contradict what you've heard before.

Is the best month to sell your house April or May?

A Realtor.com report claims that the week of April 12-18 is the best time to sell your house. The report says sellers could earn $26,000 more than in the beginning of 2026.

However, according to a Zillow report, the best time to sell is the last two weeks of May. The real estate technology company found that the typical house listed during this period sold for 1.7% more nationally, or about $6,000.

So, which is the truth?

"Different organizations run studies like this every year," reads the Berkshire Hathaway article. "And they don't always land on the exact same week. That's okay. It's because they're using different research methods and even different definitions of what 'best' means."

There are two main takeaways from these studies. First, the "best" time to sell your home isn't necessarily about the month or the week, but the season.

Second, if you thought the prime time to sell in April had passed you by, don't worry - you haven't missed out.

Berkshire Hathaway says it's all about selling in spring

It's truly hard to say whether April or May is the better month for selling your house. The "best" time to sell depends on various factors, especially where you live.

For example, Zillow data found that the home sale prices were highest in Seattle in the first two weeks of April. (That's where I live, so I'm storing that information in my brain for when it's time to sell my house.) The last two weeks of May were ideal in Boston. In Austin, maximum profits were even earlier, during the last two weeks of March.

Berkshire Hathaway pinpointed one larger trend: the spring season in general is the best time to sell.

More on real estate and the housing market:

"While there may be sweet spots, the entire Spring season gives sellers an opportunity to get some of the best conditions (and best sales prices) of the year," reads the Berkshire Hathaway article.

The national property data provider ATTOM found that home seller premiums were highest in March (10.7%), April (10.2%), and May (10.2%). Premiums decreased in the second half of the year, with September and October providing the lowest numbers.

Redfin tips for selling this spring

The last two weeks of May are just around the corner. And while June is still technically spring and another strong month to sell, you might be eager to list your home soon.

Berkshire Hathaway rounded up what it considered to be the most useful tips from real estate technology company Redfin for preparing to list your house - and receive a great price.

Repair problems that could come up in a home inspection. After you accept an offer from a buyer, an inspector will visit your home and write up a report. The buyer can use any issues, especially larger ones, to negotiate the price. Fix any noticeable problems, such as loose handrails or damaged flooring, before listing the property.
Put effort into the house's curb appeal. What will potential homebuyers see first when they pull up to your house? You want to make a good first impression. Dedicate a little time to yard work or even repainting your front door. These tweaks will also make the house look better in the online listing's photos.
Brighten your home. "Bold colors, busy wallpaper, or outdated finishes can distract buyers and affect their perception of value," Wesley Masters writes for Redfin. Consider painting your interior neutral tones. This is a better backdrop for natural light, and it gives buyers a clean slate so they can picture their own families in the space. However, painting isn't always worth the cost before selling, so ask your Realtor their opinion based on your local market.
Declutter your house. First of all, decluttering just makes your house look nicer and more spacious. Second, this is another tactic for depersonalizing the home so potential buyers can picture themselves living there.

Source: Redfin

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 5:07 AM.