By Peter Hunt

Century 21 APR 908-601-4934

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home in Central New Jersey, timing your listing can make a huge difference in how fast it sells — and for how much. While homes can sell year-round in places like Old Bridge, Monroe, East Brunswick, Marlboro, and Freehold, certain windows consistently outperform the rest.

Here’s a breakdown based on real Central NJ market patterns and what I see every year in the field.

Peak Listing Season: Early Spring (Mid-March to Late May)

This is the sweet spot in Central NJ for several reasons:

• More buyers enter the market. Weather improves, families start planning ahead for summer moves, and buyer activity jumps.

• Homes show better. Lawns green up, daylight lasts longer, and curb appeal increases naturally.

• Higher competition = higher sale prices. Each year, we see more multiple-offer situations from mid-March through May in Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

If your goal is maximum exposure and top dollar, spring is still king.

A Very Strong Runner-Up: Early Fall (September to Early October)

Once buyers return from summer vacations, the Central NJ market picks back up fast.

This window is great for sellers who:

• Didn’t want to list during summer

• Want less competition than spring

• Prefer serious, financially-ready buyers

Homes listed between Labor Day and mid-October tend to sell quickly without the “spring crowd” you compete against earlier in the year.

Winter Can Work — If You Play It Smart

Surprisingly, listing between mid-January and mid-February can deliver strong results. Why?

• Inventory is extremely low

• Buyers in winter tend to be highly motivated

• You stand out more when fewer homes are available

In towns like Old Bridge, Piscataway, and South River, I regularly see winter listings sell above asking simply because buyers have so few options.

When to Avoid Listing (Unless Necessary)

There are two windows that often underperform:

Late June → Mid-August

Buyers are traveling, kids are out of school, and showing traffic can dip.

Mid-November → Late December

The holiday slowdown is real. Not impossible — just slower.

If you must list during these periods, professional photos, strong pricing strategy, and aggressive online exposure become even more important.

So… When Is Your Ideal Time?

The truth: The best time to list is when your home is ready and your life is ready.
But strategically, in Central NJ:

• Best: Mid-March to late May

• Also strong: September to mid-October

• Surprisingly good: Mid-Jan to mid-Feb (low inventory advantage)