Forget Easter eggs – hunt for a home instead. Rebecca Sokrati from Fine & Country Jersey explains the benefits of listing and looking for a new property at this time of year.
Broadly speaking, the best time to sell a house is when there are the most buyers actively looking to buy, due to the positive effect that competition has on your achievable sale price. The difficult aspect of this is that the numbers don’t always tell the whole story. You only need one buyer, and a buyer only needs to love one property for a sale to go ahead. So is it really about timing, or is it about marketing to the right buyer?
There is no right answer to this chicken-and-egg question. There are advantages to selling in each of the seasons. While buyers competing over a property may promote the best offers, the right buyer for your home can be house hunting throughout the year. A buyer who falls in love with your home is the key factor behind getting the best price.
Spring is often cited as a prime time to list, and the more properties listed, the more options a buyer has. It is hands-down the busiest time in the real estate year. Spring is also often a time when properties can show off their potential. Gardens start to bloom, the daylight hours are extended, and mild, sun-filled days give buyers the motivation to start viewings. There’s no denying that in good weather buyers are more prepared to go house hunting and in spring, people who have enjoyed being at home over the winter are ready to get out and sample the sunshine.
Many families look to match a property purchase with the end of the school year, meaning spring is the ideal time to seal the deal. Children are part of the buying decision, and the Easter break gives opportunities for them to view their potential new home. Additionally, for buyers, moving in warmer weather is ideal – no-one wants their furniture to be rained on during a move.