Navigating the Property Market Over Christmas: Tips for Buyers and Sellers

The festive season often leads people to assume (wrongly!) that the property market will grind to a halt until the New Year. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While Christmas is a time for celebration and relaxation, it’s also a unique opportunity for buyers and sellers to make meaningful progress in the housing market.

Whilst the property market remains active during the festive period you can make the most of it—whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or both.

Why the Property Market Stays Active Over Christmas

Although Christmas is a busy time socially, many serious buyers and sellers continue to engage with the market. Here’s why:

• Motivated Buyers and Sellers: Those active in the market during this period are often highly motivated. Buyers may be looking to move quickly due to work relocations or family commitments, while sellers may want to complete transactions before the start of a new tax year or financial deadlines.
• Less Competition: The number of properties listed may be slightly lower, but so is the competition among buyers. This can create a more favourable environment for negotiations.
• Increased Online Activity: Many people have free time during the holidays and use it to browse properties online. According to property portals, online searches for homes often spike over the Christmas and New Year period.

Tips for Sellers: Standing Out During the Festive Season

• Price Your Property Correctly Pricing your property realistically is crucial at any time of year, but especially over Christmas. Buyers looking during this period are often serious, and an accurately priced property is more likely to attract attention.
• Make Your Home Warm and Inviting With shorter days and colder weather, focus on making your home as welcoming as possible. Consider adding tasteful festive decorations but avoid anything overly bold that could distract buyers from the property itself.
• Keep Marketing Active Even if you're taking time off over Christmas, ensure marketing continues for your property. High-quality photos and a well-written listing will help keep your property appealing to online browsers.
• Be Flexible with Viewings Many buyers have extra time off during the holidays, so try to accommodate viewings where possible. Evening or weekend viewings could make all the difference in securing a sale.

Tips for Buyers: Finding Your Dream Home Over Christmas

• Act Quickly With fewer properties on the market, if you find a home you love, don’t hesitate, as you could miss out!
• Make the most of the Seasonal Slowdown While some buyers hold off until January, you can take advantage of the reduced competition to secure your next home.
• Stay Alert to New Listings Keep an eye on property portals for new listings, as sellers who want to hit the ground running in January may start marketing their homes over the holidays.
• Consider Timing for Mortgage Applications Banks and lenders may have reduced staffing levels over the festive period, so if you’re planning to secure a mortgage, ensure your paperwork is in place well in advance and allow for potential delays.

Why December Can Be the Right Time to Move

Although there may be challenges in navigating the property market during a busy season, there are several advantages to buying or selling in December:

• A Fresh Start in the New Year: Completing a transaction in December allows you to begin the New Year in a new home or with the sale of your property behind you.
• Potential Tax Benefits: Completing before the tax year ends can offer financial advantages, depending on your circumstances.
• Motivated Negotiations: Both buyers and sellers are often more willing to compromise to achieve their goals before the year ends.

Planning for a Successful Property Move Over Christmas

Whether buying or selling, working closely with your agent to ensure your goals are met is key. From pricing strategies to flexible viewing arrangements, with our expertise, we will help you make the most of this unique time of year.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a property over Christmas, contact our team today. We’ll help you create a tailored plan to achieve the best results in the current market – whatever time of year!