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Original poster

Best time to sell a house

18 replies

cashmerecardigans · 22/09/2016 17:56

We're looking to move next year, hopefully early Summer and I'm just wondering when is the best time to put it on the market? I was planning for early new year but did think maybe before Christmas would be better as people might be around to look between Christmas and new year. Or is traditional early spring better? Or doesn't it matter??? Can you tell we haven't moved for ages

OP posts:

HeadDreamer · 22/09/2016 18:03

It gets busy by Easter. So I would say Spring, when the weather starts to get nice.

HereIAm20 · 22/09/2016 18:25

It usually goes pretty quiet over Christmas so I would second Spring. We offered on a house last year in March and completed in July

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 22/09/2016 18:40

I'd probably go on the market February half term ish.

Most people don't want to house hunt between christmas and new year, too many parties and family stuff going on.

wowfudge · 22/09/2016 19:11

We put ours on the market in time for October half term and accepted an offer at the end of November. This then fell through due to our buyer's buyer not being able to get a mortgage, but they got another buyer and we found our current house. For various reasons it was early January before it was all systems go for everyone. It takes longer than you think so get it on the market.

Original poster

cashmerecardigans · 22/09/2016 20:01

Thanks for all your thoughts. I doubt we'll be ready for half term, so maybe best to hang on until early next year in that case.

OP posts:

Waterlemon · 22/09/2016 23:23

Estate agent told me "whenever you're ready" is the best time!

There will always be people wanting to buy and sell houses!

wowfudge · 23/09/2016 07:05

I think you are right Water - our previous house went on the market just before Christmas and we viewed early in the New Year. If others are waiting, you could find there is less competition if you market yours sooner.

JT05 · 23/09/2016 07:32

We went SSC in October, the buyer couldn't get a mortgage and strung us along until two weeks before Christmas, when we pulled out. We intended to take the house off the market over Christmas and re market in February. But straight away another buyer appeared, even though they were away for 2 weeks at Christmas they got all their solicitors, mortgage, survey ready to go for the New Year.

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 23/09/2016 11:09

I think it depends where you are. In London it doesn't really matter. In some parts of the country the market is much more seasonal and Spring is by far the busiest time. I think Christmas will be dead quiet nearly everywhere though.

OdinsLoveChild · 23/09/2016 11:12

We were told to market in the spring when the light is better and you can buy flowers for the garden to make it look homely. You can also have fresh air/open windows without needing to put the heating on. However, I personally like cosy winter days with fires burning and a house feels welcoming after being outside in the freezing cold.

YelloDraw · 23/09/2016 13:37

was planning for early new year but did think maybe before Christmas would be better as people might be around to look between Christmas and new year.

I sold last year and the EA told me to get it on before xmas because people are at home checking RM and then doing viewings between xmas and NW or at least getting them lined up.

Glittershoes22 · 23/09/2016 15:54

Avoid December, we had a few viewings in the first two weeks then nothing until middle of January when it went mental. We had accepted offers by first week in Feb. We always intended to put ours on the market in Spring when photos would look a bit nicer but it didnt seem to make a difference with winter photos.

Tiredandtested · 23/09/2016 16:56

Have you got a lovely garden? My house looks at its best in May/June.
Probably too long to wait in case the wisteria is flowering.

Original poster

cashmerecardigans · 29/09/2016 18:58

Thanks everyone. The garden is nice and a good size for a family but not a major selling point, although we do have fields behind us so have a lovely view.
We have a log burner so yes, it would be lovely and cosy. I may go for Jan then, just need to do massive clean up first - am buying Marie Kondo tomorrow

OP posts:

budgetsbonus · 01/10/2016 16:07

i was told any time of year by an ea too. my house will be going on the market within the next couple of weeks.

budgetsbonus · 01/10/2016 16:12

a friend sold their house in january and i think they said it took a week. another friend sold hers in october in under two weeks. obviously that's a small sample but i'm running with it!

DiegeticMuch · 01/10/2016 16:22

I think that a sensibly priced house will sell at any time. My cousin put my late aunt's house on the market on around 20th December a few years ago, and had accepted an offer within a couple of weeks.

TurquoiseDress · 01/10/2016 17:09

I think you might as well get it on the market as soon as it's "ready" to be photographed and visited.

You just need one buyer who is looking at the right time, whatever time of year that might be.

We are FTBs and will continue looking over the next few months and into Christmas.

We really want to get our own place and escape out of renting so we are not phased by the time of year or the weather...we just want to get on and buy somewhere!

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