You’d think that people would have more than enough to do during the festive period, but you’d be forgiven for thinking exactly that when it comes to buying and selling property at this time of year. As the darker and colder months edge closer, in fact, the property market is still incredibly active.
Did you know that the busiest day for viewing property online is Boxing Day? According to Rightmove, the number of people looking at property on their website on Boxing Day increased by 5.4% last year. Of course, this is due to the free time people have and not working, but once Christmas is over, other things such as the potential of moving house takes over. There’s no wonder January is one of the most popular months for home movers! If people are looking at houses online on Boxing Day, the chances are that they’ll be motivated enough to buy in the near future.
If you’re ready to move, you might be wondering whether to put your home on the market now or wait until the spring. Well, although winter may traditionally be a quieter time for home-moving than spring and summer, the market is still very much open for business and selling your home in this colder season does have its benefits.
It stands to reason that if a seller has listed their property early in December and a buyer is ready to view a property, they are both really motivated and committed to buy or sell. Remember, even if there’s a howling blizzard outside, the internet is always up and running. House-bound potential buyers will have plenty of time to browse through online listings, and estate agents’ doors and phone lines are still open.
Listing your Property in December
If you’re thinking about listing your property on the market in December, here are some points to consider:
Although the largest number of online views is Boxing Day, did you know that the largest number of actual viewings is January 2nd? People that are motivated enough to view property on 2nd January are clearly committed to finding one.
Consider how long it takes to get your property fully marketed by your Estate Agent. They’ll need to take good quality photographs, prepare floor plans, write up property details, obtain the EPC reports etc. So, give yourself enough time to get it professionally listed.
Listing a property before Christmas could mean that you’re actually faced with less competition – making it easier for buyers to find your property. And the holiday season often means that buyers have more time to view prospective properties. What’s more, the quieter time of year could work in your favour when it comes to third parties. Solicitors, estate agents, surveyors and builders are typically less busy this time of year, and so might be able to help you push your sale through quicker than, for example, in the busier spring.
Organise with your Estate Agent to take photographs of your property before you put your decorations up. You’ll want to make sure that the imagery of your property reflects how it normally is.
Get some viewings lined up but make sure that the viewings are during the daytime. You’ll want to show off your property to its best advantage, so a viewing when its dark and cold won’t help you. If one of the features of your property is the garden, then it stands to reason that your potential buyer should see it in all its glory.
Viewing a Property in December
For buyers, the simple laws of supply and demand dictate that there’s every chance of bagging a bargain over the winter. In particular, if the property has been listed over the busier autumn months and hasn’t sold then there’s every chance the seller could be slightly more flexible with the price.
As mentioned earlier in this article, people who actually take the time out to view properties in December are highly motivated and committed to moving home early in the New Year.
Chances are that there won’t be as many potential buyers during December, so if you’ve got a committed seller, you can very often negotiate a good deal. Equally, during the festive period, the number of properties going through the conveyancing process is smaller, so you may be able to command an early completion.
The property market is still very active during the Christmas period, so if you’re looking to buy or sell, it’s worth getting your house valued and listed as soon as possible, ready to take advantage of the rush of house viewings in early January.
We are Farr and Farr – Gloucestershire’s longest established independent Estate Agent with 4 branches in and around the Gloucestershire area. Take a look at our website www.farrandfarr.co.uk for more information or to locate your nearest branch. Make sure to contact us for more information.
