Is Autumn Actually a Good Time to Sell Your Home?

There’s a long-standing idea that spring is the season to sell a home.

The gardens are looking their best, the days are getting longer and buyers are supposedly out in force. By comparison, autumn can feel like the property market is winding down for the year.

But is that really the case?

With the summer holidays now over and buyers returning to their usual routines, there are signs that the autumn market is getting busier. The latest figures suggest that September could be a more active time to sell than you might think.

Buyers are coming back after summer

Rightmove’s latest data gives us a particularly interesting snapshot.

During the first five days of September, buyer demand increased by 5%, compared with an average increase of just 0.4% during the same period over the previous five years.

And it’s not just a national picture.

In the East Midlands, buyer demand increased by 6% during the first week of September. The West Midlands and North East both saw increases of around 7%, while London recorded a 9% rise.

That doesn’t mean every property will suddenly attract a rush of offers. But it does challenge the idea that buyers disappear once summer is over.

So what’s driving the autumn market?

Part of it is simply timing.

The summer holidays can interrupt plans to move. Families may be away, routines change and people can be less focused on arranging viewings or making decisions.

September brings a return to normality for many households.

Zoopla’s latest data supports this picture. Searches for homes are 7% higher than a year ago, their strongest annual increase for 12 months. Zoopla describes this as an early sign of buyers returning to the market following a slower summer.

But there’s an important “however” here.

More interest doesn’t mean an easier market

Buyers currently have plenty of choice.

There are 5% more homes for sale than a year ago, while sales agreed remain 6% lower than at the same point last year. Higher mortgage rates are also continuing to affect affordability.

So while more people may be looking, they’re not necessarily rushing to buy.

That makes autumn a market where price and presentation matter.

A buyer who has several similar properties to compare can afford to be selective. If one home is well priced, well presented and offers good value, it is likely to stand out more than a property that has simply been put on the market at an ambitious price.

What does this mean if you’re thinking of selling?

Rather than asking whether autumn is the best time to sell, it may be more useful to ask whether your property is ready for the autumn market.

A few things are worth considering:

• Is your asking price realistic? Look at recent local sales and the properties you’re competing against now, rather than relying on what your home might have been worth a year ago.
• Does your property make a strong first impression? Good photography, presentation and a clear description can help your home stand out when buyers are scrolling through dozens of listings.
• How does it compare with the competition? Buyers have more choice, so understanding what else is available locally is important.
• Are you ready to move? There’s little benefit in attracting a buyer if you’re not prepared for the next steps.

So rather than waiting for a supposedly perfect month, the better question may be:

Is your home priced correctly, presented well and ready to compete with the properties currently on the market?

If the answer is yes, there is no reason to assume that you need to wait until spring.

At John German, our local teams understand the markets in the areas we cover and can give you an up-to-date view of local buyer demand, competing properties and recent sales.

Thinking about selling this autumn? Get in touch with your local John German office for a free market valuation and an honest conversation about your plans.