One of the most common questions we get asked by homeowners is when would be the best time to sell. Timing can have a big impact on the speed of your sale and the price you achieve, but first and foremost, selling a property all depends on your personal situation and what the ‘best’ means to you. If you need to move for reasons like work or divorce, then the best time is now. 

It’s also important to remember that external factors will affect the speed and price of your sale, including mortgage rates, house prices and supply and demand. Among these, the type of property you have is one of the steadiest factors that influences the best time to sell. This is because they each attract different target buyers who are active at different times of the year.

Property Type: 1 & 2-bed flats & terraces

Target Buyer: First-time buyers & young couples

January is when everyone starts thinking about what they want from the coming year, often giving first-time buyers the nudge they need to fly the nest. Later in the year, young couples are motivated by the idea of spending Christmas together in their first home.   

This means that if you have a small terrace or flat, then the ideal time to put your property on the market would be January, February or September.

Property Type: 3 & 4-bed houses

Target Buyer: Onwards buyers & families

Anyone buying a larger property will be more likely to have a family, or planning to have one in the future. This means it’s best to avoid any school holidays so that you can make sure potential buyers have free time to come and view your property.

Research the schools in your area and take note of any holidays, namely Easter, summer, half term and Christmas. We also suggest avoiding any bank holidays.

Property Type: Bungalows & retirement homes

Target Buyer: Downsizers

People choosing to downsize are generally more active during the warmer months, so try to aim for a summer sale. If your property is available to sell during autumn or winter, then it might be worth waiting. Instead, try using this time to make it as attractive as possible and give the place a lick of fresh paint. 

So, which season is the ‘best’?

External factors aside, there’s no denying that the time of year can have a big impact on how your sale pans out. If you’re able to choose when to go to market, then read on to find out about the pros and cons that generally come with each season of the year.

Spring

Spring has long been considered the best time to sell. People have more free time to go house hunting after the festive season, gardens are in bloom, and the fairer weather leaves a better impression. There are also more potential buyers around, with families looking for more space after spending winter cooped up inside.  

If possible, try to avoid coming to market during the Easter holidays, especially if your ideal buyer has a family. It’s not uncommon for sales to drop around April, so try to aim for March or May. 

The other downside is that the market can quickly become saturated with competition. This means that unless you can market your property early on in the season, you’ll need to price it competitively to stand out and attract potential buyers. 

Summer

June, July and August can be a difficult time to sell for all types of properties. Just like April, families have the school holidays. If you’re targeting downsizers, couples or professionals, they will also be taking advantage of the warmer weather to go away. This means that summer often sees a big dip in the number of potential buyers and house viewings. 

Try to aim for late spring and early summer, getting your property out there before the start of July. This will give you enough time to target buyers before their summer plans get underway. 

Pricing your property right is also essential. Your biggest competition will likely be those that failed to sell during spring, meaning frustrated sellers might start dropping their asking prices. However, buyers are more likely to question properties that stay on the market for too long, which means a competitive price against these properties could work to your advantage.

Autumn

Often viewed as the second-best time to sell after spring, autumn has its own advantages. Although there are fewer buyers around, they are generally more serious which increases your chances of a successful completion. 

Mid-September through to October is the ideal time to put your property on the market. In early September, people are getting back into the swing of things with school and work, while November is known for being one of the worst times to put your property up. Nobody wants to potentially move house during the festive season, so most buyers will disappear around this time.

Winter

The end of the year can be challenging for sellers, who not only have poorer weather conditions to contend with but also the festive period and celebrations. Statistics show that January is consistently one of the slowest times of the year for house sales, but February soon picks back up again.

However, that doesn’t mean that winter is an impossible time to sell. Supply and demand plays a big role in a successful sale, and with fewer properties entering the market, yours could really stand out to any potential buyers looking for a fresh start. Plus, with fewer sales to handle, solicitors and estate agents can offer you faster services. This means winter is ideal for serious buyers who want a quick completion.

If possible, try and wait until February. This is when buyers start returning to the market and will help put your property at the top of their list. Any earlier in the season and there will be very little traffic, which means your property will become stale without having much chance of being seen. 

It’s also worth noting that Rightmove has changed the rules surrounding new listings. It used to be that if a property didn’t sell, you could remove the listing for 2 weeks and when you put it back up again, it would be considered a new listing. However, this has now changed to 14 weeks, meaning sellers can no longer remove their property for the festive period alone. This means that timing is more important than ever when listing a property during winter.

Remember, the best time is whenever is best for you

There’s no denying that the time of year is an important factor when it comes to putting your property up for sale. However, the best time to sell is always the time that is best for you. Data and statistics are generalisations, and as the recent pandemic has shown, they aren’t always going to be true. 

If you do need to sell your property during the traditionally quieter months, our team can help. All our packages come with expert advice on how to make your home as attractive as possible, as well as the latest marketing strategies for maximum exposure at any time of the year. 

We have a wealth of experience selling Telford and Shropshire properties throughout the seasons, and we’re ready to help you sell yours whenever is right for you.

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