Would you put your house on the market now or wait until next year?

[WhereWorthing]

For various family reasons we've been slower than we wanted to be getting our house ready to market. We'd aimed for spring this year but we're only really ready now. What are the pros and cons of getting it onto the market now or waiting until the new year?

Thank you

I put my house on the market last November and it sold within 2 weeks. I was expecting it to take longer, tbh! But I think we were outliers, I don't think it's usual for houses to sell quickly this time of year. Depends on your house, the price you've chosen for it, what else is in the area, etc. We were also lucky that a local primary school had just been rated Outstanding and it was very much a family home in a beloved local community - my buyers had friends round the corner etc.

I’d find an estate agent and get it lined up to go on sale just after Christmas.

We sold my partner’s flat a few years ago and, when we were looking to list in November, the estate agent said to wait and go live on boxing day or New Year’s Day (sorry, can’t remember which now). It seemed mental but apparently Christmas pushes lots of people to start looking for a new home in the same way it leads to divorces.

The flat had loads of viewings and sold within 6 weeks. It had been listed from June - Nov with no luck due to a rubbish estate agent; better pictures and timing shifted it in no time!

The trouble with listing just after Xmas is that there will be fewer houses to buy at that time of year. I would do anything to avoid going into rental.

I agree. Buy in haste, repent at leisure!

It depends on the price brackets and whether it is likely to be first time buyers home. I think a lot first time buyer may want to buy now rather spring.

Some will definitely try but given that the average, smooth sailing, sale takes around 4 months they are running out of time now. It's only 5 months until the start of April 25!

Hmm a false sense of urgency in the FTB housing market never ends well. Normally causes a spike in prices followed by a fall, unless the Government announces new incentives in the Spring.

My parents hadn't planned to put their property on the market but they found a bungalow in our city that was pretty much perfect so it went on the market last week, viewing took place on Wednesday and offer was accepted on Thursday. Fingers crossed things can complete in time for Christmas, as there's no chain.

That is true - I wonder if it will impact the prices.