Traditional wisdom states that spring is the best time to sell a home. In some ways, this makes a lot of sense. Nothing frames a property better than blooming flora and fauna, after all. However, selling figures do not always reflect this apparent trend.
Choosing the right season to sell a home can be hugely advantageous to sellers. However, deciding on the most lucrative seasons depends on a number of factors and will vary from property to property. Factors could include – but are not limited to – the style of the property, its location and surroundings, local amenities, and any annual events that take place.
Some sellers may even find that traditionally low-key periods such as winter may draw interest from more buyers due to the fact that there are fewer properties on the market.
To help you get to grips with the basic pros and cons of putting a property on the market at different points in the year, we’ve put together a quick guide to seasonal selling:
Spring
As a time of new beginnings and optimism, spring is often touted as the optimal selling season. For properties that boast gorgeous outdoor areas, this is almost certainly the case. Indeed, a luscious garden that is brimming full of life will easily attract potential buyers as long as it is properly maintained.
What’s more, because spring weather is bright and sunny but not too hot, potential buyers are likely to feel happy and fresh. This is an important thing to consider if the property is in a location liable to very hot temperatures over the summer, as viewing properties in the sweltering heat can be a very unpleasant process and may turn people off.
However, it is also worth considering the fact that there tends to be an increased supply of houses on the market during spring due to the above reasons. This means that buyers have more properties to choose from and sellers will need to work extra hard to make their homes stand out.
Summer
Some properties lend themselves particularly well to being marketed in summer. For example, coastal holiday homes or homes that get very cold and dark during the winter months tend to look their best during the sunnier months of the year.
Properties that get very hot and stuffy during the summer, however, are much likelier to sell during cooler months, and sellers may wish to consider this before putting their home on the market. Alternatively, they may wish to hold viewings early in the morning or late in the evening when the air feels much more comfortable and fresh.
Autumn
Like spring, autumn can get a bit busier on the property market as children start the new academic year and families make fresh starts. In this way, autumn may be a great time to sell properties in popular school catchment areas. For sellers, it is important to remember that autumn can be a very variable month. Adjusting the air conditioning or heating to make a property comfortable can work wonders.
Winter
Although winter is traditionally a quiet month on the property market, some homes can really benefit from the warmth winter bringst. Indeed, winter is not the enemy of property sellers, and many people actually find that the lack of competition during quieter months is hugely advantageous. In cooler parts of the country, sellers should focus on making their properties feel cosy and warm to attract buyers.