There are many myths about the best time to sell a home. While in many markets that time is spring or summer but is this always true for every property and area? Read on to understand the pros and cons of selling across the year to allow you to determine the best time of year to sell a home?
- The best month to sell depends on the market in which you’re selling.
- Winter buyers tend to be more serious and against deadlines for completion – Christmas etc – and look to move more quickly.
- Autumn sellers have less competition, and prices for repairs tend to be lower. October marks a slow down in sales, so be prepared to move quickly.
- Summer brings lots of competition, but also families who need to move before school starts.
So the best time to list your home depends on your situation and location.
Summer
Summer is often a time of better weather and longer and lighter days. This can be an ideal time to sell a property. For those with school-aged children it can be difficult to get time to view a property and even harder to keep a home ready for viewings if children are at home for the school holidays.
Pros
- More daylight hours and more predictable weather mean more time for home viewings.
- Time for you (and buyers) is more flexible with holidayss and more time after work hours for showing or viewing houses.
- Buyers have a sense of urgency to get their school-aged kids settled.
- There is more available data from spring home sales to use to price your home.
- With their buying window closing, buyers are more likely to make more competitive offers and move faster to close.
Cons
- Competition can lead to buyers demanding more concessions and features.
- It’s holiday time, and fewer buyers may be looking for homes in your area.
- You may experience higher costs of showing the property due to the maintenance of any grounds – grass cutting, pruning etc.
- Your kids may hate it if as they are on school holidays and want to play. This includes putting their toys and other stuff throughout the property.
- Trades are busier, so finding the best estate agent, landscapers, and others can get harder pushing up costs.
Autumn
The weather begins to deteriorate and you may live on the coast, where some areas can be foggy and cold. If you have outside space, your garden may be spectacular with changing colors. If so, this might be the best time of year to list your home.
Pros
- Less houses on the market from people selling family homes.
- Serious buyers who couldn’t buy during spring and summer have the motivation to complete before the Christmas holiday season.
- Costs for repairs get lower, and you’ll have more access to trades as their busy season ends.
- Sellers can make pictures vivid with autumn foliage making their homes stand out from remaining competition.
Cons
- Buyers can get more demanding if there is less competition for your home.
- Market slows as children return back to school, and people start to prepare for winter.
- Colder, wetter weather keep viewers and buyers away.
- In some areas outside spaces are harder to maintain and look bare as trees lose leaves, flowers die, and grass remains uncut.
- Heating costs go up as you keep your home warmer for longer to accommodate viewers.
- October marks a slow down in sales, so be prepared to move quickly.
Winter
Most people shiver when considering selling their home in winter. It’s often the hardest to sell a house in most areas. But it might be the best time for you to sell.
Pros
- Highly motivated buyers who want to complete before the Christmas period.
- Less stock means lower competition for buyer attention.
- Giving your home a Christmas feel helps buyers envision living there during that time of year
- Snow can colour the garden — at least until it melts and turned into mud!
Cons
- It’s a buyers market with buyers looking to get the best deal. You may need to be prepared to do any work demanded by buyers or compromise on your price.
- It can be difficult to make outside spaces look attractive, with bear leaves.
- People are focused on the Christmas holidays and you may want to wait until early in the New Year when people are focused on the year ahead.
- Days are shorter and colder which can put off buyers.
- It can be the worst time of year for any significant renovations or repairs inspections.
- Keeping your home ready for viewings can be a challenge whilst enjoying the holidays, especially with children.
When to sell?
Knowing the pros and cons of selling during each season allows you to choose the best time for you and ensure you are managing the sale to completion. If you’re trying to sell for the highest price, Its important to try and make your home look its best by undertaking any repairs. Don’t have the time, money or inclination to make the repairs read about our service below.
Interested in selling your property to a serious buyer who buys all year round?
Are you interested in getting a free, no-obligation offer from a serious buyer, who buys throughout the year? If you need a fair price and to move forward without stress and hassle K&G Lettings Limited would be your best option. We understand that you need to move on with your life regardless of the time at which you need to sell, and that selling a house with can be stressful, expensive and take months. At K&G Lettings Limited, we specialise in helping people move on with their lives by buying their house quickly and without hassle.
Do you want to get a fair offer for your property? If YES, fill out the form below.
Even if you don’t decide to sell, we’d love to answer any questions you might have. Give us a call today on 01482 961961.
The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or as any other type of advice.