Many sellers don't have much choice about what time of year they'll be selling their home. Job offers and transfers aren't often very flexible. Many parents try to time their move with the start of their children's school year.

Spring has long been the busiest season for buying or selling a home, and it still is. Since the buying/selling process usually takes a few months, the timing is good for changing homes before children start a new school year.  Spring cleaning is good preparation for showing your home. The weather is neither too cold nor too hot; the weather doesn't draw attention to a draft or a lack of central air-conditioning.

Summer is a bit less busy. If your home has a lovely garden, this is a good time to show it off. If you have kids, make sure they are occupied elsewhere when you're showing your home. Because so many people take their vacations during the summer, you can be a little more certain that the people looking at your place are serious about buying.

Fall sees a leveling off of the market. It also sees a lot of leaves falling, depending on your part of the country, which can mean extra work in keeping your yard presentable. With kids back in school, arranging daytime showings can be easier. Because of tax benefits, buyers may be eager to close deals by Dec. 31. But sellers often pull houses off the market during the holidays. Houses that don't sell in the fall can be stigmatized by being held over into the new year.

Winter sees a lot fewer sellers and buyers, but the total number of sales barely drops below the monthly average for the rest of the year, according to brokers. Only the most motivated buyers and sellers are active during this time of year. This may mean having to show your house at odd hours or during holiday family gatherings. In cold-weather climes, expect prospective buyers to track mud, snow, and salt through your house. Keep your holiday decorations to a minimum. The smells of baking, however, add a welcome homey touch to a showing, without excessively heating up your house.

Agents may know the particulars for your area, including the best month within a season. But no matter the season, this generally applies: If you price your home under the market, you should have an offer within three to four weeks. If you price close to market value, you should have one within one to three months. If you overprice, you could wait a long, long time.