Buying and Selling Over Christmas
Online Presence
Dinsdales know the importance of online presence, so we make your home live and visible on major property portals. For example Rightmove and On the Market. To have your property live and ready for Christmas/ the new year you need to be instructing your agent sooner rather than later. At Christmas people have more spare time to browse properties online due to the festive season. Property portals statistically show that there is a substantial spike on Boxing Day. Agents appreciate it is a busy time of year so they offer a 'DO NOT DISTURB' policy. This is when your property is live and enquiries are being generated ready in preparation to book viewings in the new year. As estate agents we believe sellers should take advantage of the busy time of year. Buyers are often looking for properties over Christmas ready to buy in the New year. You want them to see your property before more sellers make their houses live in the new year.
Winter Weather
We know spring is a popular time to buy and sell, but winter has its perks too. Stepping into a bright, warm, cosy home on a cold or drizzly evening can have just as positive effect as a viewing on a sunny day. We advise to have viewings arranged in the daylight. You don't get the true experience in the dark, especially if there is grounds to explore.
Motivated to Move
There are some benefits to looking to move in December/ January. Houses that are available over Christmas are usually new or have been on a while. Buyers are less likely to be competing with other buyers at offer stage. This gives buyers greater control as they find themselves in a much better bargaining position.
Think About Photography
Thinking of making the most of the Christmas attention, it's a good idea to think ahead. Instruct your agent before your decorations go up or pop them away whilst the agent gets the pictures.
Ready for the New Year Rush
The New Year brings a rush of people looking to buy or sell. Why don't you beat the rush? Get your home marketed live before the new year. Our first day back in January is always a busy day for Dinsdales. Viewings don't happen a lot over the Christmas Period so they add to the crazy diary of January. Many sellers miss out on the busy online searching that takes place between Christmas and the New Year. Those who do have their property live will benefit from having less competition.
Don't underestimate the time it takes for your home to go on the market. An estate agent has to prepare the marketing material for a property including taking pictures, preparing floor plans, instructing and receiving the EPC and Property Tour. We advise our clients to actually start the process now so they are ahead of the competition and ready to take advantage of these peak periods.
Don't Wait until Spring
It's not essential to wait until spring to sell. Most sellers wait until spring so there's more supply which means more competition. If you beat the rush the high demand is still there and less supply so less competition. The property market is still active at Christmas, people are still looking to move.
Need a Market Appraisal ready to sell? Contact us on 01274 498855.
