Traditionally, December sees a natural lull in the property market as buyers and sellers concentrate more on what’s going under the Christmas tree – rather than bigger purchases such as a new home. But, after a busy autumn period, as well as interest rate cuts fuelling confidence amongst buyers, now could be the perfect time for you to sell.

 

Whether your property is already on the market, or you’re preparing to list it, there are a few must-dos to bear in mind to make the most of selling over the Christmas period.

 

Be mindful of your Christmas decorations when staging your property

 

Cleaning and decluttering is an essential part of the house-selling process. Yet December can be the time we reach into the loft and pull down those decorations, adorning every surface we can with trinkets we might have collected over the years.

 

If you’re serious about selling you may need to resist the temptation. Prospective buyers will want to see a little festive spirit during a viewing – they might be imagining themselves in your place for next Christmas after all. A property stripped of everything Christmas-related may look a little bah humbug, but tangles of tinsel are a no-no.

 

You’ll also want to keep the decorations to a minimum to avoid dating the photographs for your listing if they are still to be taken, as well as to reduce your dusting and cleaning efforts between viewings.

 

Be accommodating on viewings

 

We know you are busy. You might already be thinking of winding down for Christmas, or you might be running around like a headless chicken trying to get everything done in time. Festive get-togethers might also be filling your diary and limiting your time. But your potential buyers will likely have the same problem. Being a little more accommodating over viewing times during this period could be essential to generating peace and goodwill.

 

If viewings are taking place in the evening, then ensure a warm and welcoming haven. Have a well-lit entrance and maybe the fire on if you have one for some added ambience and cosiness. A festive-scented candle or two probably won’t go amiss either.

 

Prepare for a Boxing Day boom

 

While the run-up to Christmas is traditionally quiet for house sales, Boxing Day usually sees a boom in demand. It’s not just cheap pyjamas that buyers are looking for in the sales, they’ll go house hunting too. According to Rightmove, visits to its platform nearly doubled between Christmas Day and Boxing Day last year.

 

The number of buyer enquiries about homes for sale more than tripled while on Boxing Day itself the number of buyer enquiries rose 17% on the year before.

 

Be warned, however, that the increase in potential buyers brings out additional sellers too. More than 10,000 new properties came on to Rightmove’s platform on Boxing Day 2023, the biggest number since 2011. Last year’s increase was before interest rates had begun to fall which means this year’s boom could be even bigger. Standing out from your competitors will be essential.

 

Get everything ready

 

Offices and businesses may be shut over the Christmas period while the Boxing Day boom could make getting hold of the people you need tough too. Stay a step ahead by researching and appointing all the experts you’ll need to help you sell – from arranging valuations, to instructing your estate agent and solicitor.

 

Thinking of selling a property? Here at Key Property Consultants we are client-driven in everything we do. Find out more about us here