If you plan on selling your home, there is a lot to be said for being active in the market when most buyers are looking for a property. After all, the more buyers there are, the higher your chances of connecting with someone looking for a property. In the UK property market, spring is traditionally the season which sees the most movement in the property market.
However, this is not to say you cannot sell your home in winter. There is enough evidence to suggest you can sell your house in winter. The emergence of online property portals has transformed the way buyers search for property. It is possible to look for a new home from the comfort of your own home, office or even on the commute! If a potential buyer is connected to the internet, they can look for new homes.
There is also evidence to suggest many buyers are looking for homes in winter. There is a lot to be said for the New Year Surge in the property market. Given the start of the year is a time when people make significant changes in their life, moving home is part of the process. If you want to sell your house in 2020, there is a lot to be said for having a presence in the market in winter.
Of course, buyers are not waiting for New Year to start their search. In recent years, the week between Christmas and New Year has been recognised as a hectic time in the market. Some agents have said Boxing Day is the busiest day for traffic on their search engine and Rightmove have said they experience an increase of 228 per cent in page views in the week between the significant festive dates.
Therefore, buyers are looking for homes at this time. Also, some vendors will not enter the market at this time, because they want to make the most of Christmas. Therefore, you have a chance to reach buyers when there is less competition. Anything which tips the odds slightly in your favour is worth considering, and if you can place your home on the market at this time, you may reap the benefits with a fast sale.
Of course, selling your home in winter poses a few additional challenges which are not present in spring or summer. The lack of daylight hours makes it harder to arrange a suitable viewing time. Ideally, you want to be as flexible as you can. If you can offer daytime viewings, you should.
You also want to ensure as much natural light floods into your property as possible. Make sure nothing blocks your windows or prevents light from entering.
You should also pay extra care in making sure the property is clean and tidy. Moving from outside to inside the house can be messy, especially if the conditions are trying. It is worth setting up a cleaning station at your front door, so you and guests can remove messy outerwear. This will help people to feel more comfortable when entering the property, but it should also minimise the likelihood of dirt and mud being trailed through the house.
If you are a Wembley homeowner and you are considering selling your home this winter, we can help. If you would like to arrange a property viewing, contact us today. At Smith Melzack, we are pleased to say we have assisted many Wembley vendors, and we look forward to helping you.
