Is it worth waiting until spring to sell your home?
By The Cooper Adams Team
Subscribe to newsletterMany people wait to put their properties on the market until Spring believing that the housing market becomes more buoyant at that time. However, there is an abundance of people who, due to New Year’s resolutions, marital breakdowns (January traditionally has a higher rate of divorce than any other month) and those who simply decide during their festive break that they would like to upgrade their home, who are looking to purchase properties after the New Year.
That means that there are a large number of people looking for a property at the beginning of the year so there is an opportunity for those who choose to list their property in January or February to avoid the increased competition amongst sellers that occurs during the Spring Rush.
Increased competition during the Spring Rush means that many sellers discover that more choice on the market leads to lower sales prices so how can you seek to make the most of the early months of the year to sell your property before the Spring Rush begins?
Arrange viewings for during the day
Shorter days mean less of a window to show your house off in the best light, daylight. If possible, arrange viewings during the day and make sure that your windows are clean and your curtains wide open to allow as much light as possible to come into your property. If it isn’t possible to schedule viewings during the day ensure that your property is well lit and welcoming.
Don’t forget about your garden/outside spaces
The pandemic has affected our choice of homes. A survey of 2000 people at the end of 2020 by Market Financial Solutions Ltd found that 92% of the people surveyed agreed that having a garden or some outdoor space was the most important factor for them when buying a property. This replaced square footage which was the most important factor the year before.
Make sure your outside areas are looking their best by tidying away clutter, cleaning outside furniture and pathways and considering planting some winter flowering plants to inject some colour. If most of your viewings are outside daylight hours consider adding lighting in order to show your garden/outside space off even when it’s dark.
Heat your property
It may be cold outside but you want your potential buyers to feel like they are coming into a warm and welcoming home. Ensure that all the rooms in your house are sufficiently heated during viewings including spare bedrooms and bathrooms.
Choose the right estate agent
It is important not to overprice your property or you will be left trying to sell a property that has been on the market a while, always less desirable in buyers' eyes as they presume there is something wrong with it when the Spring Rush starts. A good estate agent will guide you through the property selling process and help you to put your property on the market for the right price, not too high and not too low.