If you’re thinking about listing your Orange County luxury home, you might wonder if fall or winter months are the right time to sell. OC luxury real estate moves differently than the rest of the market. Understanding seasonal patterns alongside current economic conditions can help you make the best decision for your timeline and goals.
Does Seasonality Really Impact Luxury Home Sales in Orange County?
Market activity in Orange County typically peaks during spring and summer, then gradually declines through fall before reaching its annual low around the winter holidays. But here’s what many sellers don’t realize about OC luxury real estate: the difference between yearly highs and lows isn’t always dramatic, and broader economic conditions matter more than the calendar.
Here are some examples, with reference on the chart below.
In 2024, the three-month peak for Orange County luxury home sales (properties $5M+) was February through April with 147 pending sales, while the low point from October through December saw 116 pending sales. That’s only a 21% difference. Compare that with 2022, when the same peak months had 146 pending sales but the winter low dropped to just 71 – over a 50% difference.
The reason for this gap is simple: economic conditions. In 2022, the Federal Reserve had just begun raising interest rates to fight inflation, causing luxury home sales to fall substantially as rates climbed and financial markets tightened. In 2024, market conditions kept improving through year-end, so luxury home sales stayed strong even during traditionally slower months.
When economic fundamentals are solid, luxury properties in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, and Dana Point continue to sell regardless of season.
Orange County median pending home sales $5M+, 3-month rolling average
What Do Current Market Conditions Mean for Selling This Fall and Winter?
As of October 2025, the economic environment looks exceptionally favorable for luxury home sellers and buyers. Mortgage rates have recently fallen to three-year lows, and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recently reached new all-time highs. Earlier this year, Orange County saw its highest-ever three-month peak for pending luxury home sales with 195 transactions from February through April.
While part of this increase reflects rising median home prices (more properties are crossing the $5M+ threshold), the strong economy plays a significant role. Affluent investors are looking to diversify their portfolios and secure real estate investments in prime areas like coastal OC. When financial markets perform well and borrowing costs remain reasonable, wealthy buyers pursue Orange County luxury real estate listings.
These conditions create an environment where selling during fall or winter months can be just as successful as listing during peak spring season. Luxury real estate operates on different timelines and responds more to economic fundamentals than seasonal trends.
Prime OC luxury homes are always in demand.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Luxury Property in Orange County?
Luxury properties naturally spend more time on the market than lower-priced homes because they appeal to a more limited buyer pool. In Q2 2025, Orange County listings priced at $5M+ spent a median 51 days on the market according to MLS agent-reported data, while homes under $3M accepted an offer in just 20 days.
This still represents a fast-moving market by historical standards. Before 2021, OC luxury homes regularly saw median market times of 100 days or more. Since 2021, the median has rarely exceeded 50 days. Orange County luxury homes are always in demand, which means top Orange County luxury real estate agents can and do successfully sell properties throughout all times of the year.
Another advantage for Orange County sellers is our year-round market. Unlike the chilly Midwest or Northeast where cold, snowy weather makes house hunting unappealing, Southern California’s coastal Orange County communities remain attractive to buyers every month of the year. When you combine consistent weather and strong demand for homes, you get a market where a properly priced and presented home can sell any time.
The key is working with Orange County luxury real estate agents who know your community, understand current market conditions, and know how to price and present your home to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Work with the best OC luxury real estate agents.
Ready to Sell Your Orange County Luxury Home?
The Stavros Group brings the expertise and market knowledge you need to maximize your sale. Led by President Andy Stavros, our team specializes in luxury real estate along Orange County’s prestigious coast. With a nationally recognized sales record and extensive experience in commercial real estate and construction management, Andy and his team understand the nuances of high-end property transactions.
Since establishing the Stavros Group in 2010, Andy has built one of the region’s top real estate brokerages, at one point securing the highest MLS-recorded residential sale in all of Orange County. Our partnership with Douglas Elliman gives us access to cutting-edge marketing tools, media production, state-of-the-art online platforms, and social media expertise that position your home far above the competition.
Request a complimentary home valuation or contact us directly today to discuss your personal situation and explore your options together. We’d love to help.
