Should I sell my home now or wait until Spring?

This is one of the most common questions asked by sellers, and it's a good one, because the answer depends on many things.

The answer is different depending on:
1. Your reason for selling
2. The market for homes like yours
3. The market for the next home you want.

The most important thing is to get it right first time whenever you do sell.

[mrsc]

Why is the conveyancing process so archaic in the UK. It’s a miracle that any sellers complete. The whole system needs an overhaul. It’s not fit for purpose.

[stephengreen]

I'll wait until I know the results of interest rate decisions and the budget. I don't want to relocate but have to obey a higher power.

[marcuswayman]

I sold a Victorian villa in Harrogate in 2015 getting valuations across 13 different agents. A complete spread of values from £1 million to 1.5 - i sold it for 1.6 . Crazy spread of values!! Go to every agent in your area unless you already know who is best. Follow your own gut feeling.

[peromalmstrom]

Though as reported there is high housing stock on sale, as a personal view, they are of poor quality and overpriced. Bring a quality property to market, it will sell. It is not about size or price, but location & standard (Standard meaning = needs minimum work internal/external and realistically can be moved into straight away). If the standard is not there, then the price has to be at a point, that someone thinks it is worth buying, as it allows funds to update, modernise and make it liveable. Sadly, this is not reflected in the market & as Charlie says, because of this along with other factors, 2025 will at best see flat-lining or continued real price reductions. Again as Charlie states, regardless of data pushed out at National level, as that is very misleading to what is actually currently going-on, most certainly in my area of the West Midlands and the Shires, property stock on sale is seeing big reductions as it is not selling. Even with new lower prices, they are still not selling and are too high for the ‘standard’ of properties for sale. The market needs further big cuts before buyers will be tempted. It is a buyers market and sellers are not coming to grips or acceptance of this sadly, hence so much stock currently sat for sale.

[joanneward]

Well, the agent I'm using has offered me a discount for being so organised and helpful. So your advice works. They have said buyers now are serious, after Christmas there will be a lot more property coming to market and a lot more nosey browser enquiries. This is a good time to launch, if the marketing is right. I have just sent a message back to one of your conveyancers, before going to market.

[richardcook]

Looking sharp after a trip to the barbers

[LP-qzky]

Didn't go ahead with a purchase at 206k in July.. it's now being advertised £200k

[RobWin]

So advice to buying timing - wait to spring ?

[MrJabbothehut]

Sell your home now but don't price it like an absolute mong - simple as. The UK has a housing shortage and people still find a way to blame the market rather than to adapt to it.

[stephengreen]

I have a double garage that has a studio above which would easily convert to an air b and b or rental with a separate entrance. Is is worth getting planning permission prior to putting the main property up for sale? Cost of conversion £10k. Rental income £600 per month.

[stevo]

The real question should be...do they want to move in 6 months time or 12 months time. If 6 months time, put it on the market now. If 12 months time, leave it until Spring.

[whowantstoknow]

So your advice is, sell now unless it's better to wait until the spring. 😊 (a poor attempt at humour, I'll get me coat!)

[grantfoster]

do you have any suggestions for agents in northampton..?

[scarlettspear]

Five Facts Friday? I did not receive the email? I will go and hunt for it!! Thanks, Charlie.

[StormBlueHull]

Thanks C. Great advice. Ducks in a row with an offer on the table. We shall see.

[joanneward]

Also, when asked what I think about what I might offer. I have told EAs if I put forward an offer it will be in writing, with proof of funds and my conveyancers details. They are so helpful after that and don't ask anymore pesky questions.

[EastoftheDanube]

My neighbours sold their house after 5 months on the market (they weren’t in a hurry) at £5k less than the asking price (which was too high imho) - this was in Feb 2023. The new neighbours had to sell after 3 months. They sold the same house (via purple bricks) within 3 weeks for £10k more than they bought it 6 months prior!). I’m in a small town in Wiltshire and my house and the neighbour’s house are listed town houses, good solid old houses around 200 years old. I’m selling in January as that’s what the neighbours recommended and they’ve moved 10 times in 3 years, making a profit each time.