3 min read

The benefits of selling your home at Christmas...

It may seem unusual to some to sell a house over the festive period, however, the property market is very much still active at this time of the year. The number of post-Christmas home buyers to browse for properties on Rightmove increases every year, with visits on Boxing Day last year 54% higher than the previous year. People have more free time and motivation to make a change in time for the New Year, so it can be a great time to buy and sell.

With this in mind, here are our top tips for buying and selling over Christmas.

An online presence is vital

If you are selling your home then needs to be listed and visible on all the major property portals (like Rightmove) over Christmas. People will tend to have more free time and will start to browse properties online over the festive season.

Sellers need to take advantage of this busy time. “Once Christmas Day is done and Boxing Day leftovers are eaten, what do people looking for a New Year move do? They start looking for a new home. Don’t miss the opportunity to sell your house during the holidays!

Rightmove say that Boxing Day is their busiest all year.

But why is this period so busy? One reason could be due to the new phones and tablets that people are often gifted at Christmas. It is also one of the few holidays that the family will be all together and most likely at home. This means that any discussions about viewings and a move can be had with all the decision makers present. With the upcoming New Year, there's no better fresh start than a new home.

Winter Weather

Spring is a popular time to buy and sell, but winter has its benefits, too. Sometimes stepping into a bright, warm, cosy home on a bitterly cold day or drizzly evening can have just as positive an effect as viewing a property on a warm summer day.

Tip: Try to arrange viewings in the daylight. If you arrange a viewing after work at 6pm, you won’t get the true experience of the property, especially if there are grounds to explore. It is important to view them before the night draws in.

Motivated To Move

People who are looking to move in December and January are committed to moving quickly. It’s a great idea to make the most of this.

Although there are downsides to house hunting over the festive season, the benefits can outweigh the drawbacks. Houses that are available for sale over the Christmas period have often either been on the market for a while or are very new to the market. Sellers with properties that have been listed for a while are likely to be eager to secure a sale, putting buyers in a much better bargaining position.

Think About Photography

If you’re thinking of making the most of the Christmas attention, it’s a good idea to think ahead. “Try and instruct your agent prior to putting up any Christmas decorations,” says “This prevents the photos from looking dated if it doesn’t sell instantly.”

Ready For The New Year Rush

In the New Year, there will be a rush of people looking to buy and sell. Why not beat the rush by getting your sale registered or getting to know the market in December?

“January 2nd is one of the busiest days for most Estate Agents. “There aren’t likely to be too many viewings happening over the Christmas period, but it’s nevertheless a great time to get some viewings lined-up for the New Year.

“Many sellers hold off until after the New Year and miss out on the busy online searching that takes place between Christmas and New Year. Additionally, because there are fewer sellers listing their property over Christmas, those who do benefit from having less competition than they typically would have in the New Year or Spring.”

Don’t underestimate the time that it takes for your home to go on the market, either.

Given the time it takes for an estate agent to prepare the marketing material for a property, including taking photos, preparing floorplans and commissioning an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), it is advisable for sellers to start the process now to get ahead of the competition and take advantage of these peak periods. ODOS Properties can do everything in their power to ensure that your property is listed and marketed online within a matter of days.

Make the most of the market...

It's still a good time to sell property. but with time ticking on, more and more people are forecasting that property prices may start to drop, contact ODOS to find out how much your property could be worth at the moment!