Is there any point putting property on the market at this time of year?

[OneSugar1]

my Parents passed away recently and have a house to be sold. Should I list it now or wait until after Christmas?

I sold very quickly in late November last year - the estate agent said it was actually a good time as there’s much less on the market so it pushes demand for those who need to buy. I got an asking price offer straight off the bat.

That’s good to know - thanks Snowpaw!

Yes because their will be buyers hoping that you do because they don't want the rat race come spring

I'm sorry for your loss op. Both parents in a short space of time must be very difficult.

Is the house in probate? That can take a long time so might affect your decision.

I put my late parents house on the market in November last year and it sold within a week
probate was really quick 7 weeks
but I did use a firm called Farewill to do it all for me cost about £600

I'm in a similar position, saw an agent yesterday and he recommended "low key marketing" to his existing list of registered buyers this side of Christmas so it's not sitting on Rightmove going stale and then launch it in Jan.

Im not in a rush so i think i like that idea, plus it gives me time to finish tidying up the house for sale.

He also mentioned that locally sales are taking 3 to 4 months anyway so even if you only just put in your probate application you should be ok (i put mine in late August so hopefully will hear back around Christmas time).

The bottom of my chain collapsed.
My buyers house went back on the market last week and sold by the weekend.

Sorry for your loss, I am just about to market my own house and the estate agent says there is still strong demand and sold boards are still going up quickly round here. It might depend on area to some extent, we are only 35 minutes from London on the fast trains so in a commuter area for those still needing that.

If it helps we’re looking at houses this weekend for this first time, and will continue to do so throughout December and onwards! It does slow down over Christmas inevitably but as long as you’re not in a rush

Sorry for your loss OP.

I would get it on the market asap, properties are taking longer to sell atm. You can market the property whilst you await probate.

I hope you get a sale quickly. Good luck.

I'm sorry for your loss OP.

We're about to put ours on the market because we've seen two houses we really like. We've been lazily watching Rightmove all year waiting for the perfect house. The only annoying part is that our photos will be taken in gloomy weather and our garden doesn't look so nice! If it does happen to sit, we'll get photos done again.

We offered on our current house in late October last time. We were just a little too late when it first went on the market in late spring then their sale fell through and we pounced. It worked out really well. We were in by early February, just in time for spring and summer. I was working at a solicitors at the time and they had a mad rush to get people in for Christmas then new instructions slowed down again until about March/April every year. It meant they had more time for the clients who were still going through conveyancing. They had monthly fee targets so they were very motivated to get sales and purchases finished in slow months.

Boxing Day is the best day of the year to launch, according to my estate agent.

Yes! Because there are people like me desperate to buy. No but seriously, we had put our house on the market in August and sold just recently. Market has slowed down massively and I doubt things will get better in the new year.

Yes, we completed our sale early December last year and started looking immediately for somewhere to buy (had gone into rental). There wasn't much available.

Sorry for you loss, OP.

We bought the house of our dreams in early December when I was 8 months pregnant…it was the biggest relief that it came on the market when it did and we were very much actively looking at the time.

So few properties are coming on the market presently, so I think it would be a great time to do it.

I'm another one willing people to put their houses on the market! Completed on my sale a month ago and desperate to find somewhere to buy

We put ours on the market in November. It sold at the beginning of December nd we moved in March.

Just saw this in the property section of the Times, not sure how true it is (about the only people selling are those desperate to sell 🤔)
I like the idea of not going on Rightmove yet but only being advertised through the estate agent’s mailing lists for now.

Hmmmmm no, we don't need to sell. We just want to sell. We (think) we've found our ideal property and it's quite unusual so not likely to find something like it again. Now if only the tenant would respond to requests for viewing...

It won't be the end of the world if we don't get it and while we'll take an offer lower than the valuation for our house, we have no intention of being ripped off by an investor who thinks we're desperate.

My flat sat for about 18 months then sold at this time of year. It was slim pickings for us to find a new home so I would say put it on. You just never know. X

Sorry for your loss.

My friend put her place up 2 weeks ago and got an offer same day for asking. The house needs a lot of work so was discounted to reflect that.

Personally I'd wait until after Xmas.

I like the idea of soft selling and launching on rightmove boxing day, just get your photos taken on a bright sunny day.

Last two houses ive bought have been in nov and dec, randomly.