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Should I put my house on the market before Christmas?

Should I put my house on the market before Christmas?

It is commonly thought that the best time to sell your home is in the New Year, spring or summer, usually prompted by warmer months, leaves on the trees and longer evenings. On the contrary, winter is certainly not a time for us estate agents to put our feet up and batten down the hatches until the New Year; the opposite is true. 

This year, we have seen October viewings shoot up by 28% compared to the same time last year, with a large increase of active serious buyers, rather than tentative buyers looking to move in a few years’ time.

It is also a little-known fact that online property views dramatically increase between Christmas and New Year, according to the online portal, Rightmove. We can put this down to potential buyers making the most of their spare time and new tablet to browse the market during the festive season. 

New Year, new home

When the visiting family have come and gone for another year, the post-Christmas period is a time for many to reassess their own home and potentially consider re-sizing for the New Year. 

Evidence suggests that more new properties enter the market in January, therefore if you are currently on the market and want to stand out from the crowd, refreshing the main photography or adjusting the price may help you find a buyer before the rush of fresh properties enters the market. 

Ahead of the competition

If you are thinking of taking your property off the market, it may be worth considering otherwise. Fewer homes on the market means less choice for buyers and we have experienced buyers making quicker decisions to secure a property. In the summer season when there is more choice buyers will keep looking even if they see a property that ticks most of the boxes, waiting for something new to enter the market that fits the bill completely. 

Conversely, resting a property and taking it off the market and relaunching with a new estate agent in the New Year can help, armed with a new price and updated photography can make a property that has been on the market for a while, look fresh and new. 

The choice is yours

With all this in mind it is still a very active time and there is no right or wrong answer. If you are thinking of selling your home now or in 2018 we would be delighted to discuss the options with you at no obligation.