You might be thinking whether selling your home in winter is a good idea. After all, everyone knows that spring is the time when property sales ramp up. But let us tell you that there are advantages to selling in winter. Getting your property on the market before everyone else does might just work in your favour. Here’s why…

Capture committed buyers

For many, the Christmas holidays mean family time. But for some they are a chance to shop, organise and make plans for the year ahead. In fact, days like Boxing Day see a spike in not only online shopping but property browsing too. And those who are serious about moving home in the New Year will undoubtedly make a start looking for a new home over the festive period. By selling in winter, you can capture these committed buyers and be one step ahead.

And don’t forget, this coming year there are changes afoot with Stamp Duty land tax. First-time buyers for example, face an end to the stamp duty relief in Spring 2025. So, these buyers might well be looking to make the ideal purchase over the winter, to benefit from the stamp duty relief before it’s too late.

Stand out on property listings

It’s a fact that fewer people sell their homes over the winter months. Not only do the festivities get in the way, but the hassle of conducting viewings over this period, puts people off. They prefer instead to wait for Christmas to be out of the way. With this in mind, if you do choose to sell, you’ll benefit from much less competition. By selling your home in winter when fewer others are, your property will stand out in the listings.

Get quicker responses

Another benefit to selling your home in winter is that you’re more likely to get quicker responses from your estate agent or conveyancing team. The winter months are quieter for all those involved in property sales. But this can be used to your advantage. The one thing to watch out for though, is availability. Ideally, you want your estate agent or conveyancer on hand as much as possible as you navigate your property sale. So, it’s important you check when and for how long they are closed over the festive period. Too long a period of time could be a problem for you.

Our tips for selling your home in winter

If you decide to get your property on the market this winter, before the busy spring period, these tips will be very useful. There are a few different things you should pay attention when selling in the winter months. The shorter days, colder temperatures and festive period mean these areas are what you should be focusing on.

Outside lighting

Make sure you have adequate outside lighting and that it is working. This is crucial for viewings taking place after daylight hours. For evening or late afternoon viewings, we will always turn on the outside lights to allow potential buyers to see the outside of the property.
Check your security lights, too. Potential buyers will be keen to see how secure the property is.

Clear up fallen leaves

It helps to keep your garden in tip-top condition if you are selling in winter. If you have a front or rear garden susceptible to fallen leaves, try and clear them as often as possible. We want buyers to be able to see the full size and scope of your garden and outside areas.

And even when you don’t have official viewings, if you get a lot of leaves to the front of your property, clearing them is important. Once your property is listed for sale, prospective buyers might view the outside of your home in their own time. Have your home looking the best it can, as often as possible.

Showcase your home’s warmth

If we show a potential buyer around your home in the winter months, we like them to get a real feel for how warm and cosy your home is at this time of year. If you have a gas fire or a wood stove, make sure it is serviced and working effectively. It’s a good selling point to reassure buyers that the fires in the home have been well looked after. Plus, having fires on a low flame at the time of viewings helps to create an inviting ambience.

And if you only have central heating, we recommend you turn this on low for property viewings in winter. Pay attention to any rooms you don’t use and where you might have turned the radiators off. We want to avoid prospective buyers walking into freezing rooms, so turn these radiators on low too.

It’s important potential buyers can feel the warmth throughout the home, this helps them feel assured the heating systems work well.

Go steady with Christmas decorations

We know it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but if you are selling your home in winter, then it pays to scale back on the decorations. Some buyers might find outside decorative lights overbearing, as well as too many internal decorations. Always remember when selling your home, it’s crucial we can show it off to its full potential to attract buyers.

That doesn’t mean you have to be a complete grinch when it comes to decorations. Just keep them simple for the time you are selling, allowing access and visibility of all your home’s crucial areas. One thing we do recommend for decorating your home, especially for the festive period, is a tasteful, stylish, seasonal wreath for your front door.

Soften the mood

Inside your home, we recommend adding a few touches to help buyers leave with a lasting, positive impression. For example, add fragrant seasonal candles to rooms, to bring in some lovely aroma. Bring in extra fabrics and textures to help make rooms feel warmer and more welcoming. We recommend throws on sofas or beds, or some extra cushions, even a rug or two. If you show off your property in all its winter comfort and glory, you may well sell your home in winter much quicker than you thought.

Jameson and Partners is a local Altrincham-based estate agent. Whenever you are looking to sell your home, we are well placed to deal with all manner of property sales and lettings across Altrincham, Hale, Hale Barns, Sale, Timperley, and Bowdon. We are also between the Christmas and New Year period, so we can help you sell your home in winter without too much stress. Contact us for more information.