SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- In the ever-evolving real estate market, timing is a key factor that can make a significant difference for home sellers. In fact, Zillow data from 2024 reveals that there's one particular month that saw great financial rewards for sellers in San Diego. Nationwide, seller s who put their homes on the market during the last two weeks of May netted an additional 1.6% on the sale price — a boost of about $5,600 on the typical U.S. home, according to researchers at Zillow. But for San Diego, the timing advantage was even earlier. While the nationwide housing market experienced peaks between March and June, San Diego sellers who listed during late March found themselves at an advantageous point in the market. This period saw the highest sale price premiums, as demand remained strong with fewer competing listings, resulting in better-than-average sale prices, according to Zillow. New luxury boutique hotel opens on Coronado Island San Diego, along with other cities such as Austin, San Jose and Seattle, saw the second half of March as an ideal time to list. Homes listed in San Diego during this early spring period yielded more impressive results, with Zillow noting a 2% increase in the final sale price. This lucrative boost equates to about $20,000 on a typical home. (Credit: Zillow) Although San Diego didn’t see the same extreme premiums as cities like San Jose (5.3%) or Los Angeles (3.9%), the city still benefited from the overall trend. San Diego homes saw higher-than-average returns, demonstrating the importance of listing at the right time for sellers. ATM stolen from 7-Eleven in the South Bay However, timing is only one factor in achieving the best sale price. Real estate experts emphasize the importance of working with an experienced agent who understands the local market dynamics. Sellers who combine the right timing with strong marketing strategies — such as focusing on curb appeal, staging and targeting the right buyer demographic — can still achieve top dollar, even if they miss the exact peak period. The analysis by researchers at Zillow included 1.6 million transactions closed in 2024, with complete data available on listing history and Zestimates. The premium calculation was based on the difference between actual sale prices and expected sale prices based on adjusted historical data. The study accounted for seasonality and market trends specific to each metropolitan area, including San Diego. ...read more read less