Timing is Good to Sell in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

The other day, a Los Altos homeowner asked if I think now is a good time to put his house on the market. He has been following neighborhood home sales and is encouraged to see the recent rise in activity. 

I told him: The simple answer is yes. But he does need to have a realistic expectation of the market.

As indicated in , the markets in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills have been experiencing a healthy rebound from the recent softness. Still, a pullback in Los Altos last month might have suggested that buyers remain cautious in times of economic uncertainty.

The rise in home sales was partly driven by a rise in demand, leading to more opportunities for sellers. So why are more people looking to buy this time of the year?

Most buyers in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are families with school-aged children. With the school calendar in mind, these buyers usually want to move in to their new homes before summer is over. They’re motivated, and that translates into better terms of sales to sellers.

At the same time, we’re also seeing more homes being put on the market. Sellers who have put their plans on hold during the winter holidays usually return in spring. Families who are moving up also need to sell. Obviously, effects of higher demand on price are partially offset by an increase in inventory. The extent of the impact probably varies, depending on the market segment.

It’s important to note that Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are not one single market. There are different market segments targeting different audiences.

For instance, demand for entry-level homes usually is larger than supply. As a matter of fact, we have begun to see more entry-level homes being sold within a week or two, with multiple offers at more than the asking price. Meanwhile, demand is generally less for higher-end homes, although there has also been a surge of home sales in Los Altos Hills in the past couple of months.

If you are contemplating selling, talk to your realtor and ask for a comprehensive market analysis. It will assist you in making an informed decision and, more importantly, in developing a realistic expectation, if you do decide to sell.

Many homeowners sell when they have to, as dictated by some external factors, such as job relocation. If you’re one of those who can actually make an independent decision, strategically timing your sale will make a difference. Of course, you still need to keep a realistic expectation; despite the recent rebound, the market remains soft, compared with the pre-financial crisis days.

But if you are a motivated home seller, there is no doubt now is one of the better times to sell in recent years.

Winnie Yip Fong, a Los Altos resident and a local realtor, writes a monthly column to provide advice and her insights into the local real estate market. Email her to winniefong.realestate@gmail.com for any suggestions or comments.