When is the Best Time to Sell a House?

Whilst there are no hard and fast rules, February to June period is (broadly speaking) the best time to sell a house.

Brighter weather means buyers aren’t hiding under dozens of blankets in their homes. But they haven’t yet been caught up by the hustle and bustle of the summer months either!

Because these months have a reputation for a buzzing housing market, buyers and sellers often favour this period, creating to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

However, every season has its pros and cons, as you’ll soon see.

Is Spring a Good Time to Sell a House?

Spring is one of the most popular seasons for property buying – not least because of its connotation with new starts.

Many estate agents often report higher activity levels at this time of year.

It’s easy to understand why. As the weather improves, more people step out of their ‘shells’ in search of a new home.

If you’ve already given your home a ‘spring clean’, it will be in the perfect condition to receive viewings.

After a successful spring house hunt, buyers can generally move into their new place by the summer, when there’s less chance of rain.

Gardens in spring look refreshed but not overgrown, with more new leaves and buds appearing each day.

Even better, your outdoor greenery will need less taming than it would in peak growing season, so it doesn’t take much to get it looking perfect.

The days are beginning to get longer in spring after months of long, dark nights and early sunsets. As a result, people are more willing to give their time up for viewings.

One downside of selling in spring is that the weather can be somewhat unpredictable, with cold snaps and lengthy wet spells dropping in without warning.

Also, while a higher number of buyers overall boosts your chances of reaching your target buyer, you may need to offer a competitive price to make them choose you over another seller.

This can reduce peoples’ willingness to be out and about and may even lead to last-minute dropouts for viewings.  However, it’s not worth letting this hold you back.

Is Summer a Good Time to Sell a House?

Early summer is also a popular time of year to sell your house.

The warm, sunny weather tends to put everyone in a more positive mood – and it also makes the surrounding environment look great and coaxes gardens into full bloom.

Couples with children often feel more inclined to arrange a viewing when their children are available to come along and take a look. The summer holidays provide the ideal opportunity for this.

The long summer break also makes it easier for many families to orchestrate a big move.

Plus, the long hours of sunlight mean you’ll be able to take great pictures, and viewings can happen later in the day if necessary.

However, as the summer months continue, the number of buyers may drop. Most people want to successfully complete by the end of summer so they can settle into their new property before the beginning of the next school year.

Also, many potential buyers may be away on lengthy holidays. And if you don’t keep on top of your gardening as well as all of the admin that comes with putting a house on the market, you could find yourself trying to sell a jungle!

Is Autumn a Good Time to Sell a House?

There are generally fewer buyers and properties around in autumn, but there are a few benefits of trying to sell a house in this season. It’s also a better choice than winter.

Many people want to be in their new home by Christmas, which often means those who couldn’t buy over the spring or summer will be rushing to meet this deadline.

Besides, the changing colours in trees and gardens can make your neighbourhood look beautiful.

Since your outdoor areas will have had a chance to calm down a little after their summer bonanza, they will also be easier to keep on top of.

But there’s a reason autumn is a less popular house sale period.

The window for daylight viewings gets narrower as the months wear on and the days shorten.

Plus, the weather tends to take a turn for the worse (usually as Halloween and Guy Fawkes night approach).

It’s therefore good to be on the ball and try to arrange for early viewings where possible.

The end of the summer season can sometimes see a shifting trend in prices, it’s a good idea to check that you have been valuing your house correctly.

Would Winter Ever Be the Best Time to Sell a House?

Winter certainly isn’t the most popular time to sell a house – many people view December as the worst month to try and secure a sale.

But there are times when it can work in your favor.

Since there are fewer properties on the market, you have a better chance of getting the attention of buyers.

Home interiors can often look their best in the winter, with decorations and lights adorning every room ready for Christmas.

The colder months are the perfect time to make your home as cosy, snug, and appealing as possible.

This can help viewers get a real sense of domestic bliss and comfort.

Plus, despite the cold weather, a little sprinkling of snow can make a facade or garden look truly magical.

Winter features another major school holiday – the perfect viewing or moving time for families with children.

What’s more, the seasonal gathering of large groups in one property is enough to persuade many people that they need more space, a bigger kitchen, or somewhere to escape to!

Of course, the downside of selling in winter is that budgets are often lower due to the holidays. Nobody wants to deal with high mortgage costs and Christmas dinner preparation over the same period!

The weather is unpredictable too, and the hours of sunlight shorter.

However, the new year regularly inspires people to make a fresh start, so there’s often a spike in home viewings by the time January rolls around.

If you’re selling your property over winter, you might want to include an image of your property in warmer weather in its sales brochure alongside the frostier-looking images!

Alternatively, leave a photo album or tablet on the side for people to look at.

Other Factors to Consider to Get the Best Price Possible

External ‘macro’ factors can affect the property market in an unexpected manner (regardless of the season). These include mortgage rates, taxes, and other financial aspects.

Your local area can also affect your chances. It’s worth checking local infrastructure projects and public works to ensure there are no obvious disruptions when people are looking around. You can check if the council has granted planning permission for any new initiatives recently.

The type of property you’re trying to sell or the type of buyer you’re trying to reach (such as first-time buyers or young couples vs senior citizens) can also have an impact.

Check out our 101 sell house quickly tips for some useful pointers, irrespective of the season.

Seller’s vs Buyer’s Market: Demand Levels and House Prices

When there are more buyers seeking properties than houses available, there is a “seller’s market.” Demand is greater than supply levels, so there is more competition between buyers – meaning sellers have a better chance of securing high prices for their homes.

On the other hand, when there are more houses available than interested buyers, buyers tend to have better bargaining power.

Since there are seasonal variations in how many buyers and properties are on the market, the time of year can significantly impact your chances of a successful sale.

Final Thoughts – and Another Way to Help Homes Sell Quickly

As you can see, every season has its positive elements, from beautiful weather to seasonal cheer.

There are also downsides to each – whether you’re battling the weather, competing with sunny getaways, or struggling to keep your outdoor areas presentable.

You just need to understand the challenges you’re facing, plan carefully, and harness the positive aspects of your chosen season.

Above all, more often than not, we aren’t in a position to pick and choose when and how quickly we need to sell. For this reason, the time of year is not worth worrying too much over.

If you need a fast turnover, regardless of the time of year, opting for a quick home-buying company may be a better approach.

At Property Solvers, we buy any house. We will offer you cash upfront and can complete the transaction in as few as seven days.

This can be useful for homeowners selling inherited properties, tenanted homes, those considering an auction sale and those who are divorcing or facing the prospect of repossession.

We also have a no-sale, no-fee estate agency option for those who would like to achieve the full market value (and have more time).

For further information, contact our team of property specialists on freephone 0800 044 3696 (lines open 24 hours, 7 days a week).

We’ll be happy to advise and assist you regarding your sale (no obligation).