How to avoid August and Christmas completion?

[Coaltitmum]

Basically I want to avoid August completion and I want to avoid being pushed into the "I want to be in before Christmas" thing

Previously we sold in September and the estate agents were OBSESSED about being "in" before Christmas. It never happened and quite frankly that's stress I could do without.

The solicitor said its just so they can get their commission :/

Also don't want to be moving anytime near August as the admissions office is closed and we've been in a situation of not knowing what uniform to buy until the staff were back in - which was the day before school started. More stress I can do without (yes, I know each LA is different and some work during the summer!)

It's a long distance move with children (basically from North to SW) and its going to be very stressful without Christmas holidays and Summer holidays causing extra worries.

I think November might be a great time of year (although dreary photos?)

I'm finding the whole thing quite daunting tbh so thanks in advanced ☺️

You don't really get to choose.

We went on the market last September, with a supposed offer coming to the table imminently, lots of comments about Xmas, but the offer never materialised.

We are now hopefully due to complete on maybe 6 weeks. At the latest, August. And what will be will be.

We've previously gone live on Rightmove etc at the beginning of March and completed mid May, having accepted an offer within ten days.

Also, gone on the market in early September and completed at the end of November (offer accepted in early October).

Both times we were very lucky to sell quickly and have motivated chains who all pushed to get to exchange asap. I fear that next time (we're currently prepping to sell) won't be as easy/quick.

Last time we sold/purchased (2017/18) we went live on 1st Sept and actually hoped to move before Christmas if possible, but despite accepting an offer within a month, exchange didn't happen till the last week in December. We agreed to delay completion (our buyers weren't moving in straight away as still owned their existing house) till early Feb.

However we also completed on 16th December on one occasion (house again sold fairly rapidly, having been marketed during September).

For us - no young DC - the preferred time to go on the market is early spring/late summer/early autumn, mainly because we want to avoid photos/viewings during the darker, winter months when the garden isn't looking its best!

Oh I doubt ours will be quick. It usually takes 6 months in this part of the country due to the sheer amount of people moving here 😊

I think I'll advertise in the winter anyway and see what happens. I'll accept a lower offer from a chain free buyer (hate long chains!)

Every single time we've bought or sold we've had issues with estate agents making stuff up. Our conveyancers are very slow as the market is continuously booming.