The property market remains fast-paced and competitive, and demand still outstrips supply, but that’s great news for sellers. Now, more than ever, prospective buyers are eager to find their perfect property.
Do you have a property to sell? If you’re planning to move at some point in the next 12 months, why wait to put your property on the market? The average time to sell, find your next home, and move is around 12 weeks. So, even if you secured your buyer right now, you may not be moving into your new home until the Spring!
With the busy festive season upon us, many vendors will be contemplating waiting until January when lives are a bit slower, but there's no time to delay! Now is the best time to get your property on the market, here's why...
1. Get ahead of the Boxing Day boom
Anyone in the industry will tell you that the period between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day can be the busiest time of year for online property searches. In fact, this has been a trend for Rightmove every year since 2016. In 2019, they had a 54% surge in web traffic searching for new properties on Boxing Day alone.
So, there's no time to waste; with a swell of activity just weeks away, is your property online and ready to be found by a new buyer? If you wait until January, you’ll miss out on the festive search traffic and find yourself competing with thousands more properties in your area when a surge of new properties come to market in January.
Right now, with things moving so quickly, there is even the chance that if you got your property on the market now, you could actually accept the right offer and sell before Christmas! This would give you the opportunity to sit back and relax and start planning how you’re going to enjoy the next year.
It won’t be a seller’s market forever, so it would be great to sell now, which would place you in a strong position as a buyer when additional new listings come onto the market in the New Year.
2. Be ready to sell to the right buyer
Just because you’ve started the selling process doesn’t mean the viewings will begin immediately. If you get everything prepared and start clearing out the clutter, you can move on to the next phase.
Right now is the perfect time to instruct an estate agent as their new vendor enquiries will be slowing, which means they will have more time to spend with you. This is the perfect opportunity to organise the best photographs and prepare your listing.
Once all the hard work is done you’ll be able to sit back and relax over the holiday season, knowing that your property is already on the market and you’ll be ahead of those looking to sell in the New Year.
If you’re still deciding on an agent, why not talk to our team? We work with trusted partners across the UK and would be happy to pass on their details, so you can find the right estate agent in your area and book a free, no-obligation valuation. Understanding the value of your property is the first key step in securing the right buyer as soon as possible, and you'll be ready to go on the market right away!
It’s likely that there won’t be many viewings in the run-up to Christmas as people spend time with their family and friends, but it's always good to be prepared. Currently, there is a lack of properties on the market but, in a few weeks, that will change very quickly. If you get ready and ahead of the rush, you’ll be the one that stands out from the crowd.
3. Enjoy a fresh start in the New Year
The New Year provides the perfect opportunity to get a new start, ringing in new and positive changes, including moving to a new home.
Over the last few years, the top priorities when searching for a new home have changed. With everyone spending more time in their homes, they have needed to become a haven. Unfortunately, that's not been the case for everyone, and buyers are seeking the right home; properties with space that can be used more flexibly, and in the ideal location closer to loved ones.
If the home you live in isn’t somewhere you feel happy then it’s time to think about making a change. New Year is often a time to take stock and think about what you want from your home and for your future. Could you be in the perfect property by next Christmas or even spring?
Want to sell quickly?
If you’ve already found your dream home or you just want to sell your current property quickly, then our part-exchange "Sell Simply" service could be the ideal solution.
Whether you have a buyer withdraw their offer and promptly need to save the chain, or would prefer not to have people view your property and would rather sell directly to a guaranteed buyer, we could help.
By using our Sell Simply part-exchange service, you’d benefit from:
- A guaranteed cash buyer
- A quick and uncomplicated process
- Competitive offer prices
- No estate agent fees
Sell your property for a quick sale price and move into your new home on a timescale that suits you. Contact our team for further details.
Find and secure your dream home for thousands less!
Did you know, Homewise provides people aged 60 and over with unique ways to boost their moving budget and transform their retirement, through our Home for Life Plan?
In essence, the Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. It’s an alternative option for people aged 60+ to secure their next home for significantly less than the market price, up to 59% less* in fact!
With a Lifetime Lease, you could...
- Find a nicer home more suitable for your future needs
- Relocate to a better area, closer to family or friends
- Clear mortgages, loans, equity release, or other debts
- Secure a guaranteed future inheritance for loved ones
- Gift an early inheritance now
- Create savings for the future and free up funds for your retirement
The Home for Life Plan can be applied to pretty much any property that’s on the open market, with any estate agent, anywhere in England and Wales.
So if you're seeing properties available now, why not get in touch and see what it could cost to live there with a Lifetime Lease? You could save thousands of pounds and get the new year off to a great start!
Got a current budget in mind? See how much this could be boosted by today - try our quick and simple online calculator for an instant estimate.
We’re here when you’re ready
Moving can be a daunting process, especially in the current fast-paced market, but Homewise can help.
From conducting searches and liaising with a nationwide network of estate agents to find your perfect property to booking VIP viewings and handling negotiations with agents, our free “Move Simply” service is available to all Home for Life Plan customers. And we can even source properties before they're on the market!
Christmas and New Year are busy times and you may be wanting to wait, but starting the process now can bring about a great sense of relief. Think ahead to why you want to move; you could be settled in your dream home this time next year, especially given the number of new properties anticipated to be coming to the market.
Our team are on hand to support you every step of the way. So, if you have any questions now or in the future, just give us a call on 0808 291 2703.
Even better, why not request a call before Christmas with a member of our team? In just one appointment, we can shape your bespoke Home for Life Plan, review available properties that match your goals, and answer any questions you or your family may have. Plus, it's always nice to see a friendly face!
Talk to our experts and find out how we could help make your move as stress-free as possible.
*Savings range from 8.5% to 59% for freehold properties and depend on the customer’s age, personal circumstances, and property criteria. Only available to those over sixty years old. Terms and Conditions apply.