This holiday season is buying or selling a property on your mind. Don’t wait for a Christmas miracle. Selling a home around the holidays may seem uncommon to some, but the real estate market is nevertheless highly busy at this time of year.
Every year, more people search for homes on Rightmove after the holidays, with visits on Boxing Day last year being 54% more than the year before. It might be a fantastic time to purchase and sell since people are more motivated to make changes before the New Year and have more spare time… If you’re planning to buy or sell properties during the Christmas season, get in touch with our estate agents in York.
Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks.
You could sell for more.
Since it is commonly expected that home prices would decline in 2023, by remaining on the market you may be able to capitalize on rising home values before they decline, particularly if you’re selling a second home or rental property. Learn more in our manual. Should I list my home right away?
The surge on Boxing Day
Following Christmas, Rightmove observed an increase in the number of visitors browsing their website. As people begin to think about and make plans for the upcoming year, the need to move or purchase a first property becomes more compelling. In actuality, Rightmove had more than 51 million visitors from Boxing Day through the first business day of the new year. Therefore, it is a fantastic moment to attract house buyers.
Meeting new potential buyers
During the Christmas season, family and friends travel to distant regions of the nation, giving potential buyers the chance to consider relocating from their current location. By taking your property off the market in December, you would miss out on tourists who begin looking about the neighborhood market for a ideal home,
Property sales in December
You won’t receive as much interest as you might at other seasons of the year, like spring. However, it might be argued that anyone who has the time to look for a home in December would likely be a more dedicated and determined buyer. Serious shoppers may believe that the holiday season is the best time to look because their rivals are busy wrapping presents.
Do Not Disturb policy
There could be a middle ground if you’re wondering whether to take your property off the market in the winter because you don’t want the disturbance during Christmas. Why not leave your home on the market while requesting the estate agency to follow a “Do Not Disturb” policy, allowing you to continue celebrating the holidays while knowing that viewings are scheduled for the New Year.
There are certain things to watch out for if you’re selling your home in December.
- Use the weather to your advantage
Remember that your home won’t necessarily look its best on a chilly, rainy winter day compared to on a sunny day if you’re selling a property in December. Make your house feel cozy and inviting to take advantage of the colder weather. Additionally, make an effort to schedule any viewings throughout the day so prospective buyers can have a clear view of the house and grounds.
- Busy time of the year
Not just you but also other individuals you’ll rely on to assist you with your sale will be getting ready for Christmas. So be careful to select your conveyancer early if you plan to sell your home in December. Make sure to find out if and how long they intend to be closed during the holidays. If you intend to purchase a home as well, contact an agent as soon as you can to discuss your prospects and get the process started.
Is Christmas a good time to buy a home?
The number of viewings in December is probably not going to be as significant as in other months because many people are holding their house-hunting until the new year due to the holidays. Since there are probably fewer buyers present, there’s a strong possibility of less competition and easier negotiation.
