If you’re contemplating putting your home on the market next year, there’s one thing you can do right now to maximise your chances of getting a great deal.

Before you get carried away in a giddy rush of festive fever and adorn your house in flashing lights and sparkly tinsel, take a deep breath and pause for just a moment.

You may be planning to kickstart the sale of your home in January – once the silly season is over – but there’s a good reason why you shouldn’t wait.

The reason is that traffic on property portals skyrockets on the days between Christmas and New Year.

Pageviews on Rightmove, for example, typically increase by around 230% between Christmas Day and 2 January.

What drives this surge in interest

As well as being a time of celebration, Christmas is a time of contemplation; one when many people make major life decisions.

Some folks decide – after hosting family on Christmas Day – that their home is too small and they need something with more room.

Others finally get around to having a frank discussion with elderly loved ones about downsizing. 

The festive season is also a time when couples commit to finding a “forever home” together, or sadly decide it’s time to go separate ways.

Whatever their reasons for moving, buyers at this time of year tend to be highly motivated. Smart sellers can take advantage of this by making sure that their property is online in all its glory before Christmas Eve.

We suggest that you instruct an agent now so that you have plenty of time to get the photography, copy, floorplans and Energy Performance Certificate sorted in time.

No tinsel, baubles or flashing lights just yet.

This brings us back to our recommendation that people in Sutton and Cheam who are planning to sell next year hold off on putting the Christmas decorations up. There are two good reasons for doing this and both centre around marketing photos.

Reason 1

The key to good property photography is getting rid of clutter. Property photos aren’t family snaps. You don’t want buyers mulling over your penchant for flashing reindeer or how many presents you have under the tree. Having lots of personal items on show is a big no-no. 

Reason 2

If your property doesn’t sell before Christmas, the photos will look dated if they feature wreaths, presents, and Christmas cards. 

So, there we have it, get the photos done first and then go for broke. Deck your hall with boughs of holly and bling up your Christmas tree, relaxed in the knowledge that you’ve taken the right steps to ensure a prosperous New Year.

Here at Henley Homes, we want to help make your plans for 2021 a reality. Get in touch now for expert advice on how to make those dreams come true.

Copyright 2020 HENLEY HOMES ESTATE AGENT LIMITED