Selling a house in December...possible?

[EmmsDad]

After much deliberation we decided to move after living in this house for over 25 years. We know where we want to go and have a house that is in a location near outstanding lower schools etc. We had a few valuations and in the end after looking at the 1% +VAT fee we decided to go with an on-line agency. They did a valuation remotely but it came out pretty close to those other local EA people.

So, start of December it went on the market with the usual portals. You get to see how often people click through to read the details. The on-line agency had a professional photographer do the marketing shots and very good they are too. So, apparently the usualy click-through rate is 4.5% but for the first 2 weeks it was around 7%. However, there have been no viewings (that is something we must do ourselves which I am quite happy to do).

So, getting to the point here, is it reasonable to have nothing at all this time of year? Will early next year be better, like Jan or maybe wait until Feb? The agency says suspend it for now and re-list in Feb but we are dead keen to move. Just wondered what folk on here have experience of from interesting earlier threads. Thanks!

I’ve sold a house in December. People have holidays in between Christmas and New Year so were able to view. It’s hard keeping it viewable when kids are off with loads of new tat though.

I’d say it’s dependent on your local market really. There could be people waiting for your type of house to come for sale. There might not be...

If you absolutely need to sell as quickly as possible then I’d rethink using an online agent. A local estate agent will be talking to buyers and can promote your property to them in a way an online site won’t.

Is 8t available through rightmove?

I’ve tried to make viewings through 2 different online agencies and it was such a faff registering that we never bothered.

As lillylollylandy said local agents can be useful. Our house sold to a family only because the agent encouraged them (it was a semi and they were looking for a detached so had ruled it out) and they bought it.

@NapQueen, yes but I suspended it for now and also thanks to all for the comments.

@Shadowboy, thanks we have had targeted flyers through the post from local agents so your post makes me think about that option.

We've always used an online agent and it was fantastic every single time. I wouldn't waste money on a local agent especially if the photos, write up and floorplan are of excellent quality.

However, Christmas is a week away so it's a bit of a dead season.

But we went to see a house yesterday.

Not everybody celebrates Christmas but many people get time off work so would be up for doing a drive past of something they saw online.

We always do that before we arrange a viewing just in case there's an obvious reason that we don't want to view. To be honest, i'd happily see a house on Christmas day if anyone was willing! I'm pretty sure I read that on Boxing Day Zoopla has the highest number of hits of the year.

For anything out of the ordinary, i.e. trying to sell at Xmas, I'd second a real town centre estate agent. They can indeed "reach the parts others can't reach"!

In the house we're currently living in, it's not the type of house we were looking for, not in the location we wanted, not in the price range we wanted. The fact we bought it is entirely, 100%, down to the estate agent who basically frog marched us to see it (with a little bit of dishonesty thrown in to get us through the door!). Think along the lines of "Open All Hours"! We barely stood a chance to refuse. But, by heck, was she right! We love the house and have no plans to move - best decision someone else has ever made for us!

We found out afterwards that the seller had given the agent a telling off for not selling it, had threatened withdrawing it and moving to another agent, and promised a bonus if they could sell it by the end of the month. It galvanised the agent into action who was basically trying to persuade everyone they saw to view it!

Sometimes, passive online isn't the best option, especially at Christmas when people are thinking about other things. You need someone who's going to really "put it about" a bit for you!

We’ve offered for a house that we first saw during the Christmas holidays.

We’d previously had no intention to move but an evening by the fire with a whisky idly flicking through
Rightmove...

Just make sure that the house is nice and warm for viewings!

We sold ours last December and accepted the offer that was £995 less than asking on 28/12/2016. Loads of people have time off to view. Go for it. There's nothing to loose.

@BenLui, @Joybythesea Thanks for the encouragement! @Kazzyhoward thanks for that info.

Best of luck with the sale Emms it can be stressful!

I'm currently looking, viewed a few already I love seeing everyones christmas decs! Although it can make living rooms feel cramped...

Estate agent friend of ours says Boxing Day is one of the busiest times.

Good luck OP! I've got the opposite problem... No houses within budget coming on the market at all. It's really slowed down where I am, but been reassured it's normal and will perk up in the new year.
Fingers crossed for you

Estate agent friend of ours says Boxing Day is one of the busiest times.

I was told the same thing by an EA.

And I’m sure I read that Rightmove’s busiest day of the year, in terms of searches, is Boxing Day (or the day after, maybe?)