Our top tips for buying and selling a St Ives home over Christmas
Surprisingly, the number of post-Christmas home buyers who browse for properties on Rightmove on Boxing Day increases every year. 2021 saw an increase of 54% over the previous year.
You’d think that during Christmas the property market slows down as everyone slumps on the sofa in a food coma contemplating whether they can fit in just that one more Celebration! But it turns out that people have more free time and motivation to make a change in time for the New Year.
And although the economy has been in flux, if people NEED to move in 2023 then Christmas is a good time to catch that thought. That’s great news if you’re thinking about selling soon.
An online presence is really important
If you are wanting to sell your home, then it’s a good idea for it to be listed and visible on major property portals (like Rightmove) over Christmas.
Once the Boxing Day leftovers are eaten, people who are thinking about a New Year move start looking for a new home. We think it’s probably due to the new phones and tablets that are gifted during the period and it’s also one of the few holidays that the family tends to 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.
Top Tip:
If you’re thinking you might want to move in the new year, then take advantage in the spike of buyers over Christmas and dip your toe in the market with your property.
Buyers are 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.
The quality of the buyer is higher than at any other time of the year. If someone is out house hunting around Christmas time, it generally means they are motivated to buy quickly. The speculative, non-motivated viewings decrease as people are busy preparing for Santa and won’t go out to view unless they must.
Top Tip:
Although there are downsides to house hunting over the festive season, if you’re buying, 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. The-viewing-to-sale ratio’ is also much higher at other times of year.
Is the winter weather an issue?
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 can have just as positive an effect as viewing a property on a warm summer day.
Top 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.
Extra Top Tip:
Try and instruct your agent prior to putting up any Christmas decorations as this prevents the photos from looking dated if it doesn’t sell instantly.
Get ready for the New Year rush
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.
Top Tip:
Don’t underestimate the time that it takes for your home to go on the market.
It can take a while for estate agents to get your property ready for marketing because they need to take photos, prepare floor-plans and commission an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Developing a strategy with an agent now makes sure your home launches in time for the Christmas rush because the number of viewings arranged in the first few days back after the holiday can be more than the whole of December!
We you don't have to wait until spring
Although the general wisdom is that spring is a good time to sell, over the Christmas season, you can benefit from less supply but high demand. By selling your home over the festive period, you may be more likely to achieve a better selling price than you would trying to sell against the flurry of stock in the spring market.
Take our word for it. People are still looking to move over Christmas. We’ve even sold a house on Christmas eve!
Top Tip:
If you need to buy as well as sell, then consider registering with an agent for their ‘Heads Up’ property alerts so you get notified about property matches before they reach the portals.
Click here to register with Giggs and McGrath
Contact Us
Are you thinking of buying or selling during the Christmas period? Get in touch with us today. We’d be really happy to help.