When is the best time to put your house on the market?

If you’re selling your home, timing your sale can make a huge difference to buyer interest, speed of sale and price. If you get the timing right, the whole process can be quicker, smoother and more profitable.
 
But what is the best time to sell a property? Let’s look at the factors affecting this big decision…

Sometimes the timing of a house sale is out of your control. However, if you have a little flexibility when selling your home, it’s worth keeping the following factors in mind:

While spring is traditionally seen as the busiest season for house sales, often driven by families aiming to move during the summer holidays before the new school year, summer itself can also be a highly effective time to sell. Homes tend to present beautifully with greenery, sunshine, and gardens in full bloom, all of which can create a strong appeal for buyers. Although spring sees a lot of activity, that also means more competition. In contrast, listing in summer could help your property stand out and attract serious buyers who are ready to move quickly.

Consciously or not, buyers are affected by market trends. If the housing market seems strong, with lots of people moving, it could be a good time to sell and take advantage of that enthusiasm. 

Like any product for sale, there is a balance between supply and demand. If there are lots of houses and not many buyers, it will be trickier to sell. In June alone, 1,133 new buyers registered with us, that's around 10 buyers for every home on the market. Simply put, demand is hig,h and it’s a great time to sell. Keep an eye on the market to see how it’s performing as you consider listing your home for sale.

Lots of other factors out of your control can have a huge impact on your sale. The state of the economy, mortgage rates and various government policies all impact the housing market. Buying a house is a substantial financial decision and people need to feel confident in their finances before approaching the market.

When it comes to financing your next move, Flagstone are here to help. As independent mortgage brokers with access to the whole market, they can guide you through the process and help you find the mortgage product that’s the perfect fit for your needs and future plans.

All things considered, now is a good time to list your home for sale. There was a rush to complete before the Stamp Duty Land Tax was increased at the end of March, followed by a slight dip in the market. This has now rebounded, and there is lots of movement, with plenty of housing stock and people looking to buy. While this means some may find some negotiating on price could be required due to competition, it’s also a popular time to move so you may get a quicker sale than later on in the year.

If you’re selling your home, you want to do everything you can to help it:
- Attract the right buyers
- Achieve the best possible price
 
There are a few simple things you can do to boost your property’s appeal and help the sales process:

Potential buyers need to be able to imagine living in the property. If they’re distracted by mess and excessive personal items, they can struggle to picture using the space as their own. This barrier may cost you a sale, so spend some time tidying, decluttering and depersonalising.

First impressions are extremely important so make your home welcoming from the first moment potential buyers set eyes on it. Weed driveways, repaint the front door, clean windows, add some pot plants and carry out any other small tasks that improve the appearance of the property. Potential buyers will then walk through the door with a positive mindset.

Making minor repairs such as replacing broken tiles, filling cracks etc will make your home feel cared for and well maintained. You may choose to go a step further and repaint walls in neutral colours and give the whole property a thorough clean to make it feel fresh, appealing and ready to welcome a new owner.  

You want the best price possible when selling your home, but if you set the figure too high, you risk putting off potential buyers. Look at similar homes for sale and talk to our experienced team at Beresfords. We will help guide the correct asking price for the property and area. With plenty of experience and deep local knowledge, we understand what buyers are looking for and how to position your home to achieve the best result.

An experienced, local estate agent like Beresfords is your best ally when selling your home. We can help you at every step from valuing your property and marketing it effectively to conducting viewings and assisting with paperwork. 

Selling property is always a big decision, and there’s a lot to consider. At Beresfords, our team of dedicated estate agents is throughout Essex are here to support you with selling your home. We offer expert advice and we’re with you every step of the way. Get in touch to see how we can help you with your property journey.