It is widely believed that the spring and summer months are the best time to sell your home. Colourful gardens, clear skies, and generally upbeat atmosphere during this time of the year all contribute to more sales. So does that mean that you should avoid selling during winter? Whilst the summer months are definitely the best time to sell, that doesn’t mean that you should necessarily avoid putting your home on the market during the Christmas period. There are a number of benefits to selling during this time.
Less competition
Firstly, you will be competing with fewer homes on the market. This is simply because many people will wait until the New Year to put their home on the market. This lowers the supply of houses in the lead up to Christmas, whilst the demand (although it drops) will still be there, as no matter what time of year it is, there will always be people in a position where they can’t wait 6 months to find a new home. For instance, January is the biggest month for work relocation’s, forcing people to move.
Wider reach
If we look closely at the demographics of winter home buyers, you will notice that there are less young families moving at this time of the year. This is because families with children will usually wait until the summer to move home to avoid pulling their children out of school mid-year. This means that many people searching for properties will be less restricted by location. Your estate agent can then introduce your home to more people, increasing the likelihood of a quick sale. Also, because of people taking time off work during the Christmas period, buyers will spend more time searching for a new home and will be more likely to find yours on the market.
Better negotiating position
Not only will there be less competition, but the interest your property gets will be a lot more serious and buyers will be more motivated. You may find that your home gets fewer viewings in the winter than in the spring or summer, however, the people viewing your home in the winter will be a lot more eager to find a home. Not only will this save you from half-hearted buyers, but it will also put you in a better negotiating position should you receive any offers. This also applies if you’re looking to buy as well as sell. As like with the desperate buyers, there will also be desperate sellers who may be willing to accept a lower offer in return for a quick sale.
New year, new home
New Years are great for new beginnings. We all wake up on January 1st with motivations and ideas for the New Year. However, for many people, it can be hard to stay motivated once the festivities and celebrations are over. So if you’re looking for a little extra motivation in the New Year, a change of environment can do wonders!
If you would still rather wait until the New Year to market your home. Then why not get everything prepared now? The busiest months for searching on Rightmove are January to March, with a huge 26% rise in site users compared to October to December. So by preparing the photos, floorplan, and description now, you will be able to stay ahead of the curve when you come to market your home in the New Year.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling, get in touch with Norfolk Property Online! We can be reached on 01603 300900 or by email: [email protected].
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