Moving Home in the Colder Months
Posted by Greenslade Taylor Hunt on 20th September 2019 -
Benefits of the season
When considering to sell a property, most people look to the spring and summer months. Warmer weather, longer days, and more time to focus on the process, means this time of year can often lend itself to moving home.
But it also means that there is more competition pushing house prices down, all-important services being booked up with long waiting lists, and a potential for less committed buyers due to the amount of properties available.
That’s why you shouldn’t discount the autumn and winter for being a great time to sell. There are a wealth of reasons not to put off your move until next spring rolls about.
A major part of the process that often gets overlooked is the all-important moving day. Once contracts have been signed, the day comes around fast. Because of this, movers get booked up solidly through the busier months of spring and summer, making moving day even more stressful to organise. However, in the colder months you might find that you won’t have to fight to be able to book, giving you peace of mind.
Another consideration is that buyers hoping to move into their new home for Christmas are more likely to be committed to the sale, as pulling out could mean that they would miss being settled in time for the festive period. If they fall in love with your property, they are very likely to move mountains to make it happen. They can often be some of the quickest sales of the year because of this.
Following the Christmas run up, New Year is one of the most popular times for people to make the all-important decision to move, meaning January and February can be just as fruitful. Though this means more houses are likely come on the market, it does also mean more potential buyers coming through your door at a steady rate.
Richard Webber, Partner at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s South Molton branch notes: “Every year I’m encouraged by how many properties we sell during the autumn and winter months. It may not be the most traditional time to sell, but there are a number of benefits that get overlooked.”
Overall, deciding to move shouldn’t be based solely on the season. Every family has different motivators driving a decision to move; don’t let the time of year hold you back if now is the best time for you.