should we put house on market before Christmas?

[ataposaurus]

Hi, I've posted on another thread re advice on buying! We are in process of buying a house which has just happened to come up now and is ideal. We want to sell our house, though don't need to in order to buy (though would be easier financially if we can sell asap!) Is it mad to put it on market mid December? Would we be better to wait till January? Am worried both about christmas clutter (though maybe decorations will make it look cosy!) and fact that no-one buys houses in December (or maybe they do?) House is unremarkable semi, though in nice position, but not going to benefit from any uniqueness factor! Anyone managed to sell this time of year|?

I would say go for it. See it this way, if someone wants to buy a house and they have two to pick from, they will pick yours because it's the only one on the market as the other family waited until after Xmas to put theirs on! ??

If a house is priced right it will sell at any time of year.

If you want the high-end of the valuations you are better waiting til spring. Low end or less than valued then you will sell.

Either put it on now before the decorations or you will have to reshoot the photos the second christmas is over as it dates a property terribly.

Once you get only a couple of weeks into January it feels like Christmas was ages ago and it will feel like your house has been on the market for ages even if it's only 2 weeks.

I disagree that house prices increase in the spring.

I was getting ready to put my house on the market this time last year. I got it all ready - finished off any little jobs etc - and then got the agent to take the photos before I put up any Christmas decorations.
I then left it and enjoyed Christmas without having to think about keeping it tidy for viewers.
Agent put it on market the first Monday in January when things were getting back to normal.

I was wondering about this too. We are waiting to see if we have had an offer accepted on a house and if so, we need to get ours on the market soonish.

I'm not sure than January will be any better for selling so will take advice from the EA.

Thanks all - think just going to go for it, want to get things moving! (just a bit of an epic task to get it looking ok with three kids!)

Our 1st place -we put an offer in on Dec 22nd and moved into the end of Feb. They put it on the market on the 20th. So it can happen. (However, it was a flat rather than family home so slightly different.)

Yes, definitely, there will be people wanting to be moved in by xmas and it is still possible for those who are ready to go.

Yes, I would. I know people who are looking to buy (having sold) and are frustrated that nothing new is coming onto the market.

Frustrated prospective buyer here! We're ready to buy and looking to move asap but we've exhausted all local possibilities.

We think people are putting off selling until January but it's very frustrating having to wait.

If anyone is selling a house/flat in the Marlborough/Pewsey area for roughly £150,000 get in touch!