When should I list my property?
You may have heard that spring is the best time to list, as traditionally, this is when estate agents do the most business due to a surge in buyers and sellers coming to the market.
But dig a little deeper and consider what’s driving buyers in December and January, and you may come to a different conclusion.
There are many good reasons why there’s no need to wait – and in fact, delaying listing simply drags out your plans.
To help you make up your mind, here are five reasons why you shouldn’t wait to list in spring.
Stand out from the crowd – With more properties on the market in spring, there’s more competition. With a greater choice of homes on offer, buyers may be more inclined to negotiate on price.
Fewer time wasters – When it comes to buyers, it’s about quality, not quantity. In spring, you can get a fair few ‘tyre kickers’. These are people enjoying having a nosy at a few properties in the sunshine but who haven’t done their homework and aren’t ready to make a serious offer.
Attract more focused buyers – People looking to buy in the colder months are more likely to be driven by a clear purpose. Perhaps they need to move for work or have experienced a relationship breakdown. This means they’ll be more focused and responsive.
New year reset – The seeds of change are often planted over the Christmas period and start to bloom in January. (Which explains why Boxing Day is one of the busiest days of the year in terms of traffic on Zoopla and Rightmove.) It could be that Christmas at home with the family has made someone realise they need more space, or perhaps the penny’s dropped that it’s time to downsize. Whatever the reason, they’ll be ready to act to bring about change.
Be in a new home by spring – The selling and buying process takes months, so the sooner you get moving, the sooner you’ll be in your new home. That way, you can spend spring settling into your dream property instead of dealing with viewings, surveyors and lawyers.
If you’d like a free property valuation, contact us here at Spencer Harvey today.
