In Kingston, many homeowners delay listing until May for one well-intentioned reason:
they want the yard, gardens, and outdoor spaces to look their best.
It makes sense. After a long winter, green grass and blooming gardens feel like the moment when a home truly shines. But here’s the reality we see every year - waiting until May often means missing some of the strongest opportunities of the spring market.
March and April Are When Serious Buyers Are Already Active
By the time May arrives, spring isn’t just beginning — it’s already well underway. Buyers who are motivated to purchase in the spring typically:
Start watching the market closely in late winter
Begin touring homes in March and April
Make early decisions to avoid increased competition later in the season
Many of the best-positioned homes — the ones that were prepared early — are already sold or conditionally sold before the May long weekend.
Why So Many Sellers End Up Competing in May
When sellers wait for gardens to fully bloom, something else happens at the same time:
A surge of new listings hits the market
Buyers have far more choice
Competition between sellers increases
Homes take longer to stand out
In May, you’re no longer benefiting from pent-up demand — you’re sharing it.
Early Spring Still Shows Well (With the Right Preparation)
The good news is that a home doesn’t need peak-season landscaping to show beautifully in March or April.
Simple preparation can go a long way:
Clean edges, fresh mulch, and tidy beds photograph well early
Evergreen shrubs, planters, and hardscaping add structure before gardens bloom
Professional photography can highlight outdoor spaces without relying on full greenery
Buyers in early spring focus more on layout, light, and location than on flower beds
And if outdoor spaces improve as the season goes on, we can always return later to capture updated photos when gardens are in full bloom and swap them into the listing. That way, you don’t lose early momentum — and you still get the benefit of peak-season visuals.
The Real Advantage of Listing Before May
Homes that come to market in March or April often benefit from:
Fewer competing listings
Buyers who are focused and ready to act
Strong early-season momentum
More negotiating leverage
In a market like Kingston, timing isn’t just about when your yard looks best — it’s about when buyers are paying the most attention.
The Takeaway: Don’t Let the Garden Decide Your Timing
If selling is on your radar, don’t let the calendar push you into the busiest part of the market.
The most successful spring sales are usually the ones that:
Started preparing earlier
Launched before the May rush
Focused on strategy, not just seasonality
A great yard helps — but good timing and good preparation matter more. Let’s talk about getting your home “market ready”