When is the best time to sell your home?

It is a new year and you are thinking that it is time for a new home. But before you put your property on the market there are a number of factors to consider.  Why are you selling? Do you have a deadline to work towards like a new job or a move to a new area for school applications? If this is your key motivator then you will have to get onto the market as soon as possible to hopefully hit this deadline.  But if you do have the luxury of choosing when to sell, then you are wise to look at who your target market is and evaluate what time of year will give you the greatest chance of achieving the best price in the shortest timeframe with them. Let’s take a look at different buyers and the key months they typically buy property.

For the family buyer 
Term time is paramount when it comes to buyers with children. So autumn term, spring term and summer term are key times of year to this demographic as they work towards moving before the start of the school year or a key term. Over the Christmas break and summer holidays these buyers will be few and far between as they spend time with their families on breaks away, so don’t expect your family-sized home to sell fast and for the price you want during the height of summer. Remember it can take about 2-3 months to sell a property so these type of buyers often work backwards in timing when it is they want to move into a new home. So if they want to be in before January applications they are most likely to start their search in early September so that they are in a new property in time.  

And it’s not just those looking to start a new school, many families could be searching for a larger property in the same area to fit their growing family. So while the same deadlines might not be as tight they will most likely be following the same pattern and searching during term time. For those wanting to be in for the festive season the key month is September and for those wanting to make the most of a new larger house and outside space for the warmer months, they will kick off their search around Easter time.

For first timers and singles
The time is now! After spending a long festive break with their nearest and dearest they are most likely very keen to move into a place of their own. A new year brings a newly invigorated appetite fo finding their home but as they are not necessarily on a fixed deadline they may take longer to ponder their decision and will have a broad search. Make sure your marketing is of the highest standard and impactful so it really stands out and highlight any local things that will appeal to these buyers like proximity to a train station for a work commute or the best bars and restaurants that are right on your doorstep.

For those looking to downsize 
For those whose children have flown the nest and are keen to move into smaller, more manageable property there’s no real deadline for them. But for viewings the key months in spring and summer will appeal to this demographic more so make the most of a blooming garden and make great features of sunlit rooms to really sell it to them. These buyers will often explore the area close by and may drive past your property before they arrange a viewing so make sure you really have that kerb appeal that will get them through the door.

As you can see there is no magic month when it’s best to sell your home, as there are peaks and troughs throughout the year. Instead you need to think about who your property best appeals to and unless you have a deadline to meet, you have time to plan and prepare your home in order to market it during the time most suitable to them. You want to market it when you will get the maximum amount of attention.

Timing is still of the essence…
This is of course not prescriptive and in essence there are always people looking to buy houses and you are looking for that one buyer to successfully sell your home, however there are clearly more active times than others.

If you are considering when to make the move we would be delighted to come and speak to you about timings and how best to prepare your property.  The team can be contacted 01932 863563 or drop us an email at hello@brixproperty.co.uk and we can help guide you through the selling process.