Jingle bells…property sells? Selling a property around Christmas might sound like a colossal amount of stress, but it can actually be a surprisingly good time to do it. While most people assume the property market slows down over the holidays, there are bonus points for listing your home during the festive season.
Here’s why selling at Christmas can work in your favour and how you can make the most of this unique festive window of opportunity.
Serious Buyers Are in the Market
One of the main advantages of selling a property around Christmas is that buyers tend to be taking it all more seriously. During the spring and summer months, there’s often a higher volume of people casually looking at properties without firm intentions to buy. By contrast, those searching in winter and during the holiday season are often highly motivated, whether it’s due to a job relocation, family changes, or a desire to move before the New Year. With serious buyers, you’re less likely to have your time wasted, and you may find the process takes a lot less time too.
Reduced Competition
The number of listings typically drops around the festive period. This means your property faces less competition in the market, which can mean more eyeballs on your listing. With fewer properties available, your home is more likely to catch the attention of buyers who are actively looking. With not as much choice, this can potentially lead to quicker sales and better offers.
Festive Curb Appeal
Christmas presents an opportunity to show your property in a festive light. With tasteful holiday decorations, you can boost its appeal and make buyers feel at home. Simple touches like a wreath on the front door, soft lighting, and subtle decorations can make a property feel cosy and charming, helping buyers to imagine celebrating the holidays in the space.
However, it’s essential to keep decorations tasteful and minimal, because you want buyers to visualise what the property looks like at other times of the year. Avoid overcrowding with exterior decorations that could distract from the home’s features. Understated decor can enhance a property’s appeal without overwhelming potential buyers.
Increased Online Activity
With people taking time off work over Christmas, online property browsing increases. Many people are browsing more and online more frequently. Online property portals often see a spike in activity over Christmas and New Year’s, providing an excellent opportunity for your listing to gain attention.
To capitalise on this trend, ensure that your property listing is optimised for online viewings. High-quality photos, a virtual tour, and a compelling property description can make a significant difference in attracting holiday-season buyers who are browsing online.
Faster Transactions
Because of the reduced number of property transactions taking place over Christmas, mortgage brokers, solicitors, and estate agents tend to have a lighter workload. This means your sale may progress faster, as professionals have more availability to process paperwork and facilitate the transaction. If your buyer is eager to move in before the New Year, a December listing can lead to a quicker completion than during busier times of the year.
Making the Most of Selling at Christmas
If you decide to sell your property at Christmas, remember to prepare your home carefully. With the right approach, selling a property over the festive season can be a surprisingly rewarding decision.
Selling at Christmas offers unique advantages that make it a viable option for sellers. For more advice and tips for selling your property around the festive period, get in touch with your team at Home EA today.
