There are many conflicting ideas about what time of year is best for selling your home. However, each home and the area it is in is different. Read on to find out when is the best time of year for you to sell a home. We will offer some of our best tips on timing, presentation, and much more so that when you’re ready to put your property on the market, you’ll be in the best position to get the best response from potential buyers.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Sell My Property?
Spring (February to June) is often considered the best time to sell a home quickly. This is probably because people aren’t away for the summer or busy with Christmas celebrations. Another plus for selling your home in spring is that it will look better when the garden is coming into bloom and the sun is out for longer. On the other hand, Summer has never been the best time to sell a home. When trying to sell to families, remember that they might be going away or busy with children during the school holidays. July and August tend to be slower than average months to sell a home (65 days on average) according to HOA data. The approach to Christmas (Mid-November to December) is traditionally the least favoured time of year for selling your home quickly. If you’re not going to be ready to put your home on the market before December, it’s probably worth waiting until January. People are starting to think about the year ahead and are more focused on making a move. January is one of the best months of the year to list your house for a speedy sale. The festive season is over, solicitors and estate agents are back at their desks and eager buyers who failed to secure a deal at the end of last year are ready to go. Marketing your home in January could be a clever move. Especially when there is a lack of stock on the market to allow your property to really stand out.Get To Know The Market
Here are some important factors that can influence property sales, including demand, season and government policy.Demand
What is current demand like in your area right now? Make some basic online searches: do you live in a highly sought-after area with great local schools and transport links? Is your particular type of property very popular right now?Government Policy
Government policies can have a significant effect on the property market. It is worth being aware of the latest budget to understand what proposals have been put forward. For instance, there have been numerous changes to Stamp Duty payments. The government also launched and updated some schemes such as the mortgage guarantee scheme and the help to buy scheme to encourage first-time house buyers and others to get and remain on the property ladder.Keep On Top Of Paperwork
Keep your paperwork in one place as you begin to think about putting your house on the market. When you work alongside Moving Buddies, you can upload all your paperwork to your portal so it is close to hand whenever you need it. Key documents include:- Title deeds
- Fensa Window Certificates
- Gas safety inspection certificate and electrical safety inspection certificates
- Planning permission, plans, and building regulations
- Council tax details
- Buildings and content insurance bills
- Mortgage papers
Staging Your Home For Sale
When you prepare your home for sale, you’re trying to make it look clean, appealing and neutral. Take a look at our article on Home Makeovers On A Budget for inspiration.
Here are some staging tips:
- Declutter – Decluttering your home is one of the most essential things you can do to boost your home’s appeal. It means you can present it as a blank canvas which potential buyers can imagine turi=ning into their home. It also allows viewers to concentrate on the space and not your belongings.
- Depersonalise – Sellers should depersonalise their house to give prospective buyers a clean, impersonal and neutral space in which they can imagine themselves living.
- Make Repairs – This is often overlooked. Replace any door handles. Fix the leaky taps and make sure the kitchen tiles are in good order etc. Paint over any peeling paintwork. These are relatively quick fixes but you can never underestimate how important a small thing like that could be to a buyer, especially in a competitive market
- Keep Clean And Tidy – Keep on top of housework to minimise any possible distractions when someone new comes to view. Try to avoid cooking with especially smelly foods and generally prevent any unpleasant odours from lingering. If you have a pet, clean up after them; dog leads and any hair they may have left on furniture and carpets can leave a lasting impression.
- Boost Kerb Appeal – Kerb appeal is the first impressions a prospective buyer gets when they look at your house from outside. It can set the tone for their entire viewing experience. So freshen up the paint on your front door — or even your entire exterior if needs be. Replace your old doormat with a new one. Add some flower pots outside your front door. Clean up your front garden and trim any overgrown shrubs and repair any cracks in your brickwork. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
If you are buying or selling a property or remortgaging Moving Buddies are here to speed up the process. Get started on essential tasks earlier with a personal portal dedicated to you and your property transaction. Get Started on your journey HERE!
