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Written by The McCarthy's Team on December 12, 2018

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We’ve often talked on the blog about how Spring is the traditional time to put your home on the market, with a view to a summer or autumn move. It’s an idea many of us stick to, and in fact can feel obliged to follow – almost as if we would ruin our own chances at a good sale if we ignored that pattern.

But an article in the Yorkshire Post last weekend caught our eye, all around how winter is a great time to put your property on the market. It quoted information from top estate agents and selling sites such as Dale Eddison, Rightmove and Carter Jonas, saying that actually viewings on online property websites spike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. So, much as you might think everyone’s too busy with their turkey, present-opening and fighting over the TV remote control at Christmas, people have a real appetite – and perhaps unusually, free time – to start thinking about the year ahead and where they want to be.

Apparently, many people take their home off the market over the Christmas period – but that could be a mistake, given January is also a key time for people considering a fresh start. What better new year’s resolution than a new home?

The added bonus with putting a home on the market at this time of year is less competition – as many people will still wait until the warmer weather. It means that you can be sorted, calling the removal firm and settled in your new home whilst they’re still getting their property ready to sell. We find the winter a quieter time of year in terms of removals, so you should more easily be able to get the day you want. And there’s not many occasions when the weather is so bad it means we can’t move someone – McCarthy’s has been going for 50 years so we’re used to dealing with all kinds of conditions!

Of course, this is a busy time of year, so it might feel a bit daunting to think about trying to sell a home as well as manage the festive season. But here are some top tips to help:

• Be organised – organisation is going to be your friend. If web viewings are peaking on Boxing Day, expect people might want to squeeze in a viewing before New Year, whilst they’re off work – especially if they are moving some distance. Have you got some clear days to facilitate that? Could you get the house spick and span and send visitors out for a walk and a coffee if needs be?
• Winter wonderland – Christmas is a very pretty time of year with the lights and the decorations – which can be a bonus when trying to make your house look it’s best. However, if you have Christmas ornaments and trees covering every available surface, you might risk making your home look smaller than it is. Go for subtle and tasteful decorations and lights which will make every viewer feel like they want to host their very own Christmas there next year. A few mince pies baking and a real Christmas tree and they might want to buy it on smell alone!
• Clutter is your enemy – this time of year comes with a lot of ‘stuff’ – presents, decorations, cards and extra food and drink. You don’t want to downsize your Christmas because your home is on the market, but maybe consider decluttering some of your other bits and pieces ahead of the big day. Items can be moved to self storage (we have storage centres in Leeds, Wakefield and Harrogate) and then you can gain access whenever you need to, but they’re safely out of your way day-to-day.

If things go your way, you could be toasting a lot more than the start of 2019 come midnight on December 31^st. In which case, don’t forget to give us a call in the new year – it’s never too early to get a quote and think about provisional dates for the big move!