You can sell your home at any time of the year, but there are definitely some months (and even specific days) when selling is easier, faster, and more profitable. In general, spring and summer are the hottest homebuying seasons of the year, while sales slow down as we get into fall and winter.

The more you’ve paid off, the more you stand to gain in profits. Check with your mortgage holder to get exact details.

Selling a home doesn’t come for free, and neither does buying a new house (if that’s on the agenda). Make sure you have the funds to cover the costs your sale will come with. Meet with a financial planner and/or mortgage broker.

You might consider gauging local market trends like the number of active listings or median sale price before deciding to list your home.

Time to sell really depends on where you’re located and the conditions of your local housing market. Your listing price, the condition of your home, and you (or your agent’s) marketing and staging prowess can also play a role.

There are many costs involved in selling a house. Fortunately, most of them don’t require an out-of-pocket payment, per se. Instead, many come out of your sales proceeds at closing. Closing costs are roughly 9-10% of the sales price.

Anything that’s attached to the house is something you’ll need to leave behind for the buyer. This includes light fixtures, built-in shelving units, blinds, door hardware, shutters, and more. If there’s something specific you don’t want included in the sale, make sure you bring it up during the listing consultation visit. It should be listed on the MLS and in your sales contract.

Many times, homebuyers want a “move-in ready” property — one that doesn’t require much work and elbow grease before moving in. This is especially true of younger buyers, 76% of whom say a move-in ready home is a must. For this reason, you may want to consider making some repairs before putting your home on the market. Smaller, cosmetic repairs can be a good idea to make your home more marketable (and more valuable).

Peak selling seasons vary from year to year in most market places and weather usually has a lot to do with that. Often early spring and early fall are the prime listing seasons as houses tend to “show” better in those months than they do in the heat of summer. Be aware that there are also more houses on the market during the prime seasons, resulting in more competition. While seasonality is a factor, it’s not something that should dominate your decision on when to sell.

Short answer? No

It is not required by law to hire a real estate attorney in Florida, but it is highly advisable. An attorney can help you understand the legal jargon in real estate contracts, negotiate on your behalf, and protect your interests at closing.

If you are buying or selling a home in Florida, you should weigh the pros and cons of hiring an attorney. While it may add to the cost of your transaction, it can give you peace of mind and help protect your interests.