Homeowners intending to sell their properties before Christmas are being strongly advised to list their homes before the end of October, according to guidance from HomeOwners Alliance.
With the average period from listing to sale clocking in at approximately 58 days, initiating the process promptly is considered critical to bolster the chances of completing a sale before the holiday season.
And the expert property service has identified October 23 as the last date to list a home for those hoping to sell before Christmas.
While putting a property on the market by this late October cutoff does not guarantee purchase completion or a move-in before Christmas, HomeOwners Alliance stresses that this timing enables sellers to better plan moves during the early months of the new year, reducing holiday-related transactional challenges.
Did it take you longer than the 58 day average to sell your home?
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Yes, it took longer
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No, it sold within 58 days
Regional variations in sale times across the UK
The average time to sell a property varies by region in the UK.
HomeOwners Alliance reports that Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the North East of England record the fastest average sale times, standing at 32, 35, and 45 days respectively.
Conversely, regions such as the South West, Wales, London, and the South East experience longer periods, ranging from 64 to 71 days to complete sales.
Examining individual cities reveals even sharper contrasts. Glasgow leads with an average of just 22 days from listing to sale, followed by Edinburgh and Belfast.
In comparison, cities including Nottingham, London, Birmingham, and Manchester witness substantially extended sales cycles, with Nottingham averaging 66 days.
The speed of property sales correlates closely with the effectiveness of estate agents.
Research from Property Marketers, which analysed national statistics, Zoopla and Rightmove data, illustrates that the best 10% of performing agents can secure sales within 28 to 35 days, whereas agents with below-average performance may require 65 days or more, sometimes exceeding 80.
Paula Higgins, chief executive of HomeOwners Alliance, underscores the significance of selecting high-calibre local agents.
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She said: ‘Get ahead of the game by inviting three top-performing local estate agents to value your home. Compare their track records, read the reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask questions before choosing the right one.’
Further advice includes setting realistic asking prices, preparing properties to appeal to buyers, having legal representation ready in advance, and carefully selecting buyers to minimise transaction obstacles.
Higgins also highlights the strategic consideration regarding the upcoming UK Government Budget announcement on 26 November.
Sellers are advised to list by 23 October to avoid potential market slowdowns that could arise as buyers and sellers wait for policy clarity affecting taxes or housing market regulations.
Meanwhile, UK mortgage rates rose this month for the first time since February, signalling a subtle change in mortgage market dynamics.
Despite the increase, which suggests lenders are adopting a more cautious stance, rates remain substantially lower than a year ago, and this slower churn in mortgage deals might hint at a stabilising market.
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