How to Sell Your House in the First 3 Months of the New Year
Once the dust has settled following the festive season and Christmas buzz, most people would assume that there would be a halt in people who are willing to spend their money on a property after such an expensive season. However, when it comes to the property market, the first few weeks of a new year can sometimes be the busiest times of the year. This is due to the fact that following the lull over Christmas, new prospective buyers come to estate agents with the intention of a ‘fresh start’ for the coming year. After the buzz of Christmas, perhaps the resume in normal everyday life can seem a tad mundane, so buying or selling a property can seem like a new and exciting venture for homeowners or prospective buyers. Contrary to the thought of many, the first three months of the new year can be a great time to sell your home, and you can even do it faster and with a more competitive price in comparison to other points of the year. Here at We Buy Any House, we have delved into how you can sell your house in the new year, giving our best advice along the way!
Why Is the New Year a Good Time to Sell Your Property?
Supply and Demand:
As mentioned above, most think the new year is the worst time for property sales. However, the notion of supply and demand plays an integral role in the property markets in the new year. Albeit that there may be fewer people looking to buy a house, it does not mean that there isn't any whatsoever. The new year is the time in which people want to move quickly, so there is a greater demand for supply. If you choose to sell your home in the new year, you are statistically more likely to gain interest in your property, therefore enablling you to sell your property faster.
Less Hassle:
Another reason why the first few months are a great time to sell your property is that is a time of the year where only serious property shoppers are looking to buy. Unlike spring or summer times, in which the weather is warmer, and people are finally beginning to venture outdoors, winter is typically spent indoors, hibernating from the cold. This means that throughout the first few months of the year, people are less likely to go through the hassle of viewing a property without being serious about buying, therefore, increasing your chances of a quick completion!
How to Sell Your House in the New Year:
It's Important to Understand Your Buyers:
Regardless of the time of year, it's always important to understand the buyer's market if you are planning on putting your property up for sale. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, people have spent a lot of time confined to their homes, and those who are thinking of buying will have a solid idea of what they want- so this needs to be reflected in the way you advertise your property. Think about what is popular on the market now, such as garden space, airy and light interiors and easily accessible by public transport. If your property doesn’t quite fit the current demands in the market, then you may have to re-evaluate the price you have put on your property. Additionally, it's always a good idea to make sure your home is up to date regarding decorations, cleanliness and general house appearance. There is always the possibility that we could go into another lockdown- so it's worthwhile ensuring that your house is up to date before you put it on the market.
Ensure You’re Listing Your Home at the Right Price:
In the first few months of a new year, pricing your home can be a tricky situation. This is perhaps due to the fact that over the last few months of the previous year, people have been spending excessive amounts on festivities. While you don’t want to put people off by pricing your house too highly at a point where people are probably low on funds, alternatively, pricing your home on the low side may leave prospective buyers wondering what is wrong with your property. Alongside being patient, it's a good idea to price your house slightly under comparable homes in the first few months of the year, in order to spur interest in your property and ultimately, the sale you want.
Winter Kerb Appeal:
When the weather is looking rather drab and dreary, it can be a hard challenge to dress up your home and make it seem more appealing to prospective buyers. Kerb appeal is a huge part of selling your property. The exterior of your home is a prospective buyer's initial impression of a potential future home, and it can make or break a sale entirely. Ideally, you want to make your home seem warm and welcoming- and there are a few ways to do this. Illuminating the driveway along paths, neatening any fallen leaves or bushes, and making sure there are no signs of winter damage to the exterior of the property is a good place to start. Additionally, you want to make sure that throughout your home, there are no holiday decorations visible- this can put buyers off.
Interior Appeal:
On the inside if your property, maintain the elements of welcomeness to your prospective buyers. Keeping in line with the notion of winter, ensure that your house smells good (we advise winter scents such as cinnamon or baking cookies), and ensure the house is clean and presentable. Additionally, add throws and blankets to emphasise the warmth in your home, and put the heating on to show prospective buyers that this house is suitable during the coldest times of the year.
This article was written by a quick house sale company We Buy Any House. If you’re wondering “how can I sell my house fast?”, head to the We Buy Any House website for more information relating to all property related enquiries.
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