4 reasons to sell your home this side of Christmas

Getting your home on the market is easier and quicker than you may think – and there is every reason to order a ‘for sale’ sign this December. In fact, there are four indicators that now is a good time to instruct a sales agent:

1. Buyers and sellers are active right now: home movers are showing no sign of hibernating, despite us hurtling towards the winter solstice. The latest Rightmove House Price Index revealed the number of sales agreed in November 2024 was 26% ahead of the number of sales agreed 12 months ago. Additionally, the number of new sellers deciding to come to market is 6% higher now, when compared to this point in time last year.

2. There’s an impending deadline no one wants to miss: almost every single buyer will experience a higher stamp duty bill if they complete after 1st April 2025. As a result, there is real urgency to find a new home quickly so exchange and completion can happen in good time. As an illustration, buy a home for £295,000 before 1st April 2025 and the stamp duty bill will be £2,250. Wait until after 1stApril 2025 and that stamp duty bill rises to £4,750. Don’t delay until the new year to buy and sell!

3. Many of us decide to move…on Boxing Day: perhaps we’re just bored of Bond films and playing charades as thousands of us use Boxing Day to start the moving process. Every year, Rightmove records activity on the 26th December and every year it amazes even us! The portal tracked 10,000 new properties listed on its site on Boxing Day 2023 - the biggest number of new sellers in one day since 2011. Buyer enquiries were also up 17%, when comparing Boxing Day 2023 and Boxing Day 2022.

4. Some of us make a New Year’s resolution to move: those of us who are in a turkey and chocolate food stupor come to our senses when Big Ben chimes in New Year. January has long been one of the busiest months for agents and portals, and the stats show the New Year is increasingly popular with movers. The number of new properties listed for sale on Rightmove in January 2024 was 15% higher than the same month in 2023. Buyers were also out in force, with 5% more noted in January 2024 than 12 months previously.

5. Mortgage lenders are overwhelmed with applications: buying intent quickly filters across from property searches to mortgage searches right after Christmas, underlining how serious purchasers are about moving. In January 2024, Twenty7tec revealed the total number of ‘purchase mortgage’ searches conducted by independent financial advisers in January 2024 topped 1.3 million and this figure is expected to be surpassed in 2025. Why? Mortgage rates, the base rate and inflation are all lower now than 12 months ago.

Let us take care of your sale while you enjoy December

We know you’ll be juggling present buying with the end of school term, work commitments and holiday plans but relax. We’ll take care of your home’s sale. It all starts with a free valuation and a set of photos. Once complete, your home will appear online within a matter of days. Get in touch now and your home will be in front of buyers before Boxing Day.