Best Time to Sell Your Boise Home: Spring vs Fall (The Data Will Surprise You)

January 26, 2026•4 min read

The Question Many Boise Sellers Wonder

“Should I list in spring or wait until fall?”

I’ve heard this question probably a hundred times in my career. And here’s the thing.

The answer isn’t what most people expect.

Everyone assumes spring is automatically better. More buyers, more activity, faster sales. And while that’s partly true, it’s not the whole story.

Let me share what the current data actually shows, and more importantly, what it means for YOUR situation.

What the Numbers Say Right Now

According to Altos Research data from January 2026, homes across Ada County (that includes Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and the surrounding areas) are sitting on the market for a median of 70 days.

That’s the middle point. Half sell faster, half take longer.

But here’s where it gets interesting. The average is 100 days. That means some homes are taking significantly longer to sell, pulling that average up.

This gap tells you something important about timing and pricing.

Spring Selling: The Fast Lane

Think of the spring market like rush hour traffic on the Connector. Lots of activity, lots of competition, everything moving quickly.

What happens in spring (March through May):

Buyers are everywhere. Families want to move before school ends. Remote workers who decided to relocate over winter are pulling the trigger. Even investors are more active.

This creates urgency.

Your home will likely sell closer to that 70-day median if you list in spring. Maybe faster if you price it right.

You’ll get more showings. More open house traffic. More offers to compare.

But here’s what they don’t tell you.

You’re also competing with every other seller who had the same idea. That means if your home isn’t perfectly staged, priced competitively, and marketed well, it can still sit while better-prepared homes sell around you.

It is all about supply vs demand.

Fall Selling: The Misunderstood Season

I had a seller in September tell me he felt like she’d missed the boat by not listing in spring.

Then we sold her home for over asking price.

Fall (September through November) is different. Fewer buyers, yes. But the buyers still looking are serious.

They’re not just browsing. They’re not comparing 47 different houses. They need to buy, and they know it.

This is where most people get confused.

Your home might take longer to sell in fall. You could be looking at 90-120 days instead of 70. But serious buyers often pay more because they have fewer options and a genuine motivation.

Think about it like shopping at a farmers market at 4 PM versus 9 AM. Fewer vendors at 4 PM, but if you have exactly what someone needs, they’re not going to nickel-and-dime you.

Summer and Winter: The In-Between Seasons

Summer brings steady demand. June through August sees consistent showings, especially from families who couldn’t find something in spring’s frenzy. Pricing stays competitive.

Winter is trickier. December through February means serious buyers only, but far fewer of them. If you must sell in winter, prepare for extended marketing time and be aggressive with pricing.

So Which Should YOU Choose?

Here’s what I tell my clients.

List in spring if:

You need to sell quickly (job transfer, financial timeline, etc.)
Your home is move-in ready and competitively priced
You can handle the competition and want maximum exposure
You’re okay with market-pace pricing to ensure a faster sale

List in fall if:

You have time flexibility and can wait 90-120 days
You want serious buyers who won’t waste your time
Your home has unique features that appeal to specific buyers
You’re willing to be patient for potentially better terms

The real secret? With current inventory at 1,586 homes across Ada County and a Market Action Index of 36 (slight seller’s advantage), proper pricing beats seasonal timing every single time.

I’ve seen perfectly priced homes sell in February. I’ve seen overpriced homes sit from April through September.

What Actually Matters More Than Season

Let me be straight with you.

Timing your listing to the season is about optimization. It’s like adding premium gas to your car. It helps, but it won’t fix a broken engine.

What matters more:

Your pricing strategy relative to comparable sales. I can’t stress this enough. Price it right for current conditions, and the season becomes less important.

Your home’s condition and staging. Buyers forgive less in every season when they see deferred maintenance.

Your marketing approach. Professional photos, compelling descriptions, and strategic online placement work year-round.

Your flexibility on terms. Sometimes accepting a 45-day close instead of 30 days lands you a better offer.