In Maryland, the data points to spring. Statewide sales and median prices climb from March, peak between May and July, and bottom out in January. Since a home usually closes a month or two after it lists, listing in March, April or May puts you in front of the most buyers. Timing still matters less than price and condition.
If you’re deciding when to list, a free home value request gives you a price range to plan around, and our seller page explains how we get a house ready.
What the monthly data shows
Maryland REALTORS publishes statewide numbers every month. Here are homes sold and the median sale price for the last 24 months, as each month was first reported (Maryland REALTORS housing statistics, checked October 2026). Keep in mind these are closings, so they show deals that went under contract roughly 30 to 60 days earlier.
| Month | Homes sold | Median price |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | 5,341 | $415,800 |
| Oct 2024 | 5,762 | $425,000 |
| Nov 2024 | 5,216 | $425,000 |
| Dec 2024 | 5,472 | $424,650 |
| Jan 2025 | 3,968 | $406,000 |
| Feb 2025 | 4,015 | $409,000 |
| Mar 2025 | 4,823 | $420,000 |
| Apr 2025 | 5,692 | $435,000 |
| May 2025 | 6,229 | $440,000 |
| Jun 2025 | 6,479 | $450,000 |
| Jul 2025 | 6,086 | $445,000 |
| Aug 2025 | 5,830 | $435,000 |
| Sep 2025 | 5,604 | $430,000 |
| Oct 2025 | 5,707 | $437,500 |
| Nov 2025 | 4,769 | $430,000 |
| Dec 2025 | 5,491 | $430,000 |
| Jan 2026 | 3,660 | $410,000 |
| Feb 2026 | 4,016 | see note |
| Mar 2026 | 4,874 | $430,000 |
| Apr 2026 | 5,728 | $436,000 |
| May 2026 | 6,331 | $454,000 |
| Jun 2026 | see note | see note |
| Jul 2026 | 6,328 | $455,000 |
| Aug 2026 | 5,582 | $445,000 |
Notes on the gaps: the February 2026 release lists a median of $474,335, which is out of line with every month around it, so we left it out instead of guessing. We couldn’t find a separate June 2026 release; the July 2026 report says June sales rose 2.3% over June 2025.
What jumps out:
- Sales nearly double from winter to late spring. January is the slowest month both years. May through July are the busiest.
- Prices follow the same curve. The lowest medians were in January ($406,000 in 2025, $410,000 in 2026). The highest were June 2025 and May to July 2026.
- Fall holds up better than people think. October 2025 sold 5,707 homes at a $437,500 median, close to the spring numbers.
These are statewide figures. Baltimore City, Howard County and Charles County each run at their own price level, so ask us for your county’s numbers. Our monthly Central Maryland market update breaks them out.
Inventory: the other half of timing
Buyer demand is only half the picture. The other half is how many homes you’re competing with.
Maryland has been short on listings. In August 2026, Maryland REALTORS reported 6,249 new listings, down 23.6% from 8,177 a year earlier, with active inventory of 16,897 homes, 13.7% lower than August 2025, and about three months of supply (August 2026 report). The spring was similar: the May 2026 report showed new listings down 22.1% and pending sales up 9.6% year over year.
When fewer homes come on the market, a well-priced listing gets more attention in any month. That’s one reason a ready house shouldn’t wait for May. In a tight market, the seller who lists in March may face less competition than the one who waits for the spring rush.
Spring vs fall
Spring gives you the most buyers. Zillow’s 2024 analysis of 1.6 million U.S. sales found that homes listed in the last two weeks of May sold for 1.6% more than the yearly benchmark, about $5,600 on a typical U.S. home, and that listing anywhere from March 15 to July 31 generally beat the average (checked October 2026). Zillow also notes the best window varies a lot by metro and moved around year to year as mortgage rates changed.
Fall is the second chance. You’ll have fewer buyers, but you’ll also have fewer listings competing with yours, and the buyers still touring in October tend to be ready to act. Zillow’s 2019 data found mid-October was the weakest time for selling above asking, so if you’re planning a fall sale, earlier in September is better than later.
Our advice: if the house is ready in March, list in March. Don’t hold a ready house for a magic week in May.
The day of the week to list
The best published study we’ve found is Zillow’s. In an analysis of 2019 listing and sales data (published June 3, 2021), homes listed on a Thursday went pending faster and were more likely to sell above asking than homes listed on any other day. Homes listed on Sunday stayed on the market about 8 days longer than Thursday listings. Zillow calls these “marginal changes.”
The logic is simple. A Thursday listing gets a couple of days of attention before weekend showings. A Sunday listing misses that first weekend. That’s why we’d rather go live late in the week, with photos and the showing schedule ready before the listing goes up.
PCS season near the bases
Central Maryland is home to Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County and Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, so military moves are part of the local market. The military’s peak moving season runs from May 15 to August 31; the Marine Corps’ 2025 peak moving season message uses those dates (checked October 2026).
If you’re selling near a base, that window matters. Buyers with orders often have to find a home on a tight schedule, and a buyer using a VA loan needs the house to pass a VA appraisal, so a house that’s ready for one (no peeling paint, working systems, sound stairs and railings) has an advantage. Listing in late winter or early spring catches buyers who are planning summer moves.
When timing matters less than prep
Timing gets too much credit. A house that’s priced right and shows well sells in any month. A house that’s overpriced or needs obvious work sits in May too.
Before you pick a date, get these done:
- Price it from real comps. Our post on how to price your home in Maryland explains why automated estimates miss.
- Handle the inspection items first. Roof, water, electrical and anything an inspector will flag. See repairs before selling.
- Clean, declutter and get good photos. The first week online matters more than the month you list in.
If your life sets the timeline (a job, a new home, an estate) list when you’re ready and price for the season you’re in.
Bottom line
Maryland’s sales and prices peak from May to July, which means the strongest time to list is March through May. Late in the week beats Sunday for going live. Fall is a reasonable second choice, and a well-priced house sells in winter too. Start with a real number for your house, then pick the date. Request your free home value and we’ll show you what’s sold near you this year.
Sources
- Maryland REALTORS, monthly housing statistics releases, September 2024 through August 2026, checked October 2026
- Maryland REALTORS, May 2026 Housing Stats, checked October 2026
- Maryland REALTORS, July 2026 Housing Stats and August 2026 Housing Stats, checked October 2026
- Zillow Research, Spring Surge: Higher returns for sellers start in March, peak in late May, checked October 2026
- Zillow Research, To Sell Your Home Quickly, List it on a Thursday Before Labor Day (June 3, 2021), checked October 2026
- U.S. Marine Corps, 2025 Peak Moving Season Preparations, checked October 2026