Planning a move? Consider the pros and cons of moving during the summertime…
If you’re planning a move, the timing is just as important as the location. And in Houston, summer is the busiest moving season of the year. School is out, the days are longer, and there are usually more homes to choose from.
But there’s one major factor you can’t ignore: Houston heat.
So, is summer really the best time for a move in Houston? Well, that depends on your priorities. We’ve outlined the pros and cons to help you decide if moving during the summertime is the best choice for you.
If you’re looking for how to sell your home during the summer, check out our 8 easy tips here.
The Pros of Moving in Summer:
1. More Homes on the Market
Late spring through mid-summer is considered peak listing season, with more homeowners selling their homes. Because of this, you’ll typically see more neighborhoods with multiple listings and a wider range of price points and home styles to choose from. So, if your goal is having the most choices, buying during the summer gives you the largest pool of homes to consider.
2. No School Schedule
For young families and households with kids, summertime is often ideal for big changes. Moving while school is out for a few months avoids mid-year school transitions (if you’re moving zoning areas or districts) and gives everyone time to settle into a new home before having to add school back into the mix. Less disruption to routines—especially for children—is one of the biggest reasons summer is the most popular time to move.
3. Longer Days
Summer brings longer days and more daylight hours, making it not only easier to find a home to buy, but also moving itself. With more time in a day, you can often get prep things—like painting and cleaning—done faster, as well as the actual logistical process of moving.
The Cons of Moving in Summer:
1. High Heat & Humidity
Most people know Houston summers are nothing to joke about… With high heat and intense humidity being the standard, packing and moving your entire house can be exhausting, uncomfortable, and even dangerous. This alone can make moving day feel significantly more stressful than in cooler months.
2. More Buying Competition
Like we mentioned, summertime is real estate prime-time. So, while there may be more homes to choose from, there will also be more buyers house hunting. This means more desirable homes are likely to receive multiple offers, weakening your negotiating power and requiring faster decisions.
3. Higher Moving Costs
Another con to summer being the most popular time to move is the increased demand for moving services. Limited availability (and more extreme working conditions) usually creates higher pricing. Planning ahead is essential; moving companies, rental trucks, and even storage units are often more expensive and book up quickly during the summer months.
4. Longer Timeframes
Due to the increase in real estate transactions, home inspectors, contractors, moving services, and even title companies are at their absolute busiest. Buying a new home can already be a lengthy process (you can see a complete timeline here.) Add limited availability for certain services on top of that and you’re looking at a much more drawn out timeframe if you’re not proactive.
With all that, is summer the best time to move in Houston??
Yes, summer is the best time to move if:
- You want more home options to choose from.
- You have children and need to move between school years.
- You want to finish the actual move quickly.
No, summer is not the best time to move if:
- You want less competition & more negotiating power when buying.
- You don’t want to move in extreme weather conditions (mainly, high heat).
- You need to buy a house quickly.
There’s no “perfect” time to move in Houston… only the time that fits your needs and lifestyle best. And while summer is often labeled “the best time for real estate”, many homebuyers don’t realize that the fall can actually be one of Houston’s most strategic times to move!
Thinking about making a move this year? The right strategy matters alot more than the season. Contact us today to create your best moving plan!
Alexis Feezel is a results-oriented Marketing Coordinator responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all promotional strategies and activities to effectively market clients & listings and maximize sales.