When is the best time to sell a house?

When is the best time to sell a house?

There’s plenty of advice on the best time to sell a home, and while market timing can be important for investors, selling a home is often more about what works best for you personally rather than trying to predict the broader market.

That being said, certain times of the year do tend to see more activity in the property market. Knowing these trends could help you decide when to sell your home, but remember that your personal circumstances should come first.

New Year
The start of the year is a popular time for homebuyers. Many people see the New Year as an opportunity for a fresh start, and the housing market picks up after the quiet holiday season. Buyers at this time are often early in their search, which means it may take a few months before they’re ready to make offers.

Spring
Spring is the busiest time for both buying and selling. People want to settle into their new homes by summer, and longer daylight hours make properties more appealing, with gardens coming back to life. The Easter holidays give buyers extra time to view homes and make decisions, leading to a spike in activity.

Summer
Summer usually sees a slowdown as people focus on vacations and school holidays. Families often prefer to buy earlier in the year to settle before the new school year starts, so activity can dip during the summer months.

Autumn
Activity picks up again in the autumn, especially from September through early November. People are back from their holidays, and there’s still time to move into a new home before the Christmas season. Parents have more time to focus on house hunting with children back in school.

Winter
Winter is generally a slower time to sell. Buyers are busy with holiday preparations, and properties don’t show as well with shorter days and poor weather. The market tends to cool down, except for bargain hunters looking to close deals before the end of the year.

In addition to market trends, it’s essential to think about what you want to achieve. If you’re selling and buying at the same time, it’s crucial to monitor the market ahead of time to align both processes.