Christmas is the ‘best time of year to sell your house’
Thinking of taking your house off the market over the Christmas period? You may want to think again…
Image: Christian Koch
If you’ve been trying to sell your house for a little while, it can be tempting to take it off the market over the Christmas, or you may be holding off putting your house on the market until the New Year. Who wants to deal with viewings, estate agents and solicitors during the festive period anyway?
However, according to independent property consultancy Galbraith, it could be the best time of year to sell your home.
It found that last year, property related Google searches increased 150% directly after Christmas, while visits to OnTheMarket.com increased by 13.7 million in the three months following Christmas, compared to the months before.
George Lorimer, a partner with Galbraith explains why this might be the case: “Christmas is the one time in the year when family congregates for several days to entertain at home. If they weren’t considering moving house beforehand, they often think again after guest accommodation is stretched and the dining room suddenly seems too small for a celebration. It may be that reunited siblings decide they ought to have a spare room for older relatives. In addition, it is a time when family sit around the table and make plans for the coming year.”
If you are planning to sell your home, ensure that it looks well-lit, and use images captured in summer if possible. Before viewings, make sure to clear leaves and gutters to improve your kerb appeal.
Are you planning to sell your home next year? Let us know by tweeting us @goodhomesmag or posting a comment on our Facebook page.