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The Truth about the Property Market in Winter

Date Published 01 December 2023

Winter starts on December 1st according to the Met Office and takes us through into the first months of the New Year. For anyone thinking of selling or buying a home at this time of year there are some basic factors everyone should know.

Any experienced estate agent will know that the market ebbs and flows throughout the year, usually in a fairly predictable way according to the season. However, not every agent will be as up front and honest with you about what this really means in winter.

So here's our take on how to make the most of selling or buying a property at this time of year.

A tale of two markets
At different points in the year the property market is affected by everyday matters that go beyond the latest interest rate movements or mortgage deal offers. Things like summer holidays, school breaks, family commitments and sometimes simply good or bad weather can all change the way people think about moving home at any given time.

Because almost all of these elements combine in the run-up to Christmas, the winter property market can be split into two distinct periods.

Pre-Christmas the market naturally slows down. People have got other things on their minds than doing research and going on viewings, so fewer offers are received and subsequently sales achieved figures are quieter. Ironically, for most people thoughts about home and family life take centre stage at this time, but in other ways than thinking about moving home!

This means that some who are thinking of selling may decide to wait until the New Year to contact an estate agent and put their home on the market.

The importance of Boxing Day
Waiting to put plans in motion can actually be counterproductive for one very big reason - Boxing Day.

In reality things do not simply come to a halt for estate agents as we get closer to Christmas. In fact, it's one of the most important times of year for us in terms of helping sellers get ready to take advantage of what's become known as the 'Boxing Day Bounce'.

Obviously online research now plays a huge role for potential buyers and the day after Christmas sees them get involved in huge numbers. Rightmove is the biggest property portal in the UK and it's coined the 'bounce' term for the huge uplift it sees each year in visits to its website on December 26th.

In 2021 Boxing Day visits to the portal were 54% higher than the previous year. Last year there was another jump of 46% on the day and the remaining days of 2022 saw more than 51 million visits to Rightmove's site.

Get moving!
What this means for sellers is that you really need everything in place to take advantage of this huge increase in buyer activity.

If you wait until after Christmas to talk to an estate agent you'll miss out and that could potentially mean a longer wait to sell as buyers will have put in offers elsewhere.

By talking to us now we can put everything in place so that your home is ready to go live on the market at exactly the right time. Our multi-aspect marketing package comes as standard - 3D floor plans, 360 virtual tours, videoettes, lifestyle descriptions and professional photography - many of the things that other agents charge a premium for.

Buyers benefit too
Registering with us as a buyer in December also puts you ahead of the pack too. We'll be able to give you priority notice of new properties, sometimes even before they go live on the large portals.

We are here all through December to give you all the help and advice you need. Give us a call on 01903 608080, email us, or even better pop into our office and see us for a chat at Worthing House, 6 South Street, Worthing, BN11 3AA.

Happy Christmas!