As soon as the wrapping paper has been binned and the chocolates eaten, people start to think about moving. Maybe it’s the New Year spirit – or maybe it’s the post-festivity divorce trend – but the period immediately following Christmas has in recent years become a key moment in the property calendar, and Rightmove traffic is at its busiest.
The start of 2022 was the busiest on record for homemovers, says Rightmove, which reported a 23% rise in buyer demand compared to 2021, which in turn was up by 21% on 2020, which had recorded record-breaking figures then. Admittedly we’re ending 2022 in a state of economic flux – but people will always want and need to move home and the British property dream has repeatedly been shown to withstand the odds.
Many people will have prepared their homes specifically to launch onto the online market after Christmas – though pictures must never show decorations. There’s nothing that broadcasts a lack of interest more than a listing still showing a Christmas tree in the background in February or beyond. Jumping on the Boxing Day bandwagon takes some foresight.
If you’re thinking of selling but you’ve missed out on the Boxing Day boom, all is not lost. Traditionally, it’s the spring market that’s the best, and that still holds true. Winter viewings don’t necessarily show a property at its best, with gloomy light and sad-looking gardens, while spring brings fresh sunlight and greenery outside to help homes look their best. Start preparing in the new year by freshening up and decluttering and you’ll be ready for marketing in March.
And if you’re a Boxing Day buyer, then good luck to you. Many people won’t be inviting people in for viewings until January, but if you can express interest and get appointments booked in as soon as possible then you’ll have a head start. As usual, it’s important to have finances in place and a solicitor lined up so that you’re ready to act and ensure that your offer has a good chance of being accepted. Despite the ongoing pressure on mortgage rates, agents are reporting ongoing strong buyer demand that continues to outstrip supply, so it’s as important as ever to make sure that you’re in a position to move fast.