Why selling your home in winter can really be a good time!

Once the clocks go back, the nights draw in and z list celebrities are switching on the Christmas lights in cities across the country! Many home owners put thoughts of selling on the back burner – yet savvy sellers might be missing a trick. Selling in winter can be a great opportunity and here’s why:-

Less Competition

Generally speaking there are fewer properties on the market at this time of year therefore it stands to reason that from a selling perspective there is less competition. Buyer demand will be focused on what is available- including your own home! If you wait until the New Year or spring, many sellers will have the same idea and your property may not stand out the same, especially if two or three others pop up for sale on your road!

Take advantage of peak internet traffic over the holiday period

Statistics from the leading property portal Rightmove show there is a huge spike in traffic to the site over the Christmas holiday period. People have more time and there is a lot of the “new year new home” mentality. If you are already on the market, you are showcasing your home to a larger audience.

Stronger prices

Given the shortage of properties on the market during winter months and the concentrated demand, chances are you will be able to negotiate a higher price for your property- we have actually just done this on a couple of properties recently where we have achieved way above what we honestly expected to achieve for the properties and this must in part be down to the lack of available stock. It is very much a case of “Hobson’s choice” for buyers.

Only the serious venture out

When it is cold, dark, damp and generally miserable outside and with so much else going on at this time of year- only seriously motivated buyers are out housing hunting! So whilst the numbers may be down, the quality is high – less potential carpet treaders to be trudging dirt into your home, raise expectation only to prove a real let down! Now surely that has to be a benefit to a serious seller?

Some homes are winter homes

Most property market experts will tell you a property looks at its best when the sun is shining and the garden is in full bloom and this is probably true of many properties. However does your property have exposed timber beams in the ceiling, an inglenook maybe and a beautiful open fire with crackling wood and glowing embers? What a gorgeous feel good ambience that will create and make a really memorable impression on a potential buyer.

It can work out cheaper to sell

Many estate agents will offer creative commission incentives at this time of year to entice sellers to the market early. Look out for these deals and take advantage!

Selling in the winter is not for everyone but there are obvious benefits to some. Definitely food for thought!

For more information on the market in Cheadle and Stockport please call me on 0161 428 3663

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Popping the Asking Price Bubble

Where in the Uk Can Buyers Snap Up Property Bargains and Where Properties Go for a Premium Above Asking Price   New research from fast selling property company, Upstix has uncovered the UK’s most surprising postcodes for snapping up a property at bargain prices this year, highlighting a widening gap between sellers’ expectations and the…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Highest demand to lease office space since pre-pandemic

The latest insights from the UK’s number one commercial property website Rightmove, reveals that the number of unique enquiries to lease office space is at its highest point since pre-pandemic, as businesses look for spaces that meet modern requirements. Demand to lease office space is 19% higher than the same period a year ago and…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Planning consultations for major infrastructure to be streamlined

Robert Bruce, a planning and infrastructure partner at law firm Freeths LLP, said he: “Welcomed the change as a significant step to speeding up the DCO process and the focus on the quality and effectiveness of the consultation, rather than box ticking and a risk averse approach to pre-application consultation due to the current legal…
Read More
Breaking News

‘The property ladder pulls further away’ warns Open Property Group

For many first-time buyers across England, the dream of homeownership continues to slip further out of reach. Despite rising wages, soaring house prices are making it harder than ever to get on the property ladder. A leading UK professional house buying company ‘Open Property Group’ based in Buckinghamshire UK, has raised concerns over the ongoing…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

How Long It Takes to Buy a House in the UK: 5 Common Delays That Can Slow Down Your Home Purchase

Wondering how long it takes to buy a house in the UK? The average timeline ranges from 8 to 22 weeks, but even that can stretch significantly due to unexpected delays, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or caught in a chain. That’s why working with experienced professionals like Belvoir — one of the UK’s…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove to host Renters’ Rights Bill webinar with Guild of Lettings

Rightmove is hosting a live and interactive webinar session with the Guild of Lettings to help agents get Renters’ Rights Ready. The webinar will take place from 10:00am – 11:00am on Wednesday 23rd April. Susie Crolla, Managing Director for the Guild of Lettings, will be joining Rightmove to help agents with questions they may have about…
Read More