Best Time of the Year to Sell your House (Day & Month Revealed)
Updated: November 2024
Spring is often the best time to sell your house, with March being the top month for a quick sale in the UK, where homes typically sell within 57 days. But the ideal time can change based on factors like your property's type, location, and the market. Listing on a Friday can also help, drawing up to 34% more buyers for faster sales. Knowing these details can give you an edge when selling your home.
Key Takeaways:
- Seasonal Timing: Listing in March can significantly impact how fast your house sells and the price you achieve.
- Optimal Listing Strategy: This guide shows the best and worst times of the year to sell for the best results.
- Boosting Success: Use this advice to sell confidently at a time that maximises price and speed.
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- Key Factors that Influence a House Sale
- What is The Best Season to Sell a House?
- The Best Month and Day to Sell Your House
- Which Property Types Sell Faster Than Others?
- How Long It Takes To Sell a House in the UK
- Reasons for Selling your House ‘Out of Peak' Season
- Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Time to Sell House
Key Factors that Influence a House Sale
Every house sale usually has to deal with external factors out of their control (sometimes they can even work in your favour).
Despite the fact that no matter when you walk through their door, every estate agent in the country will tell you that “now is a great time to sell”.
Below we've put together a list of 4 key factors that could potentially influence a house sale.
While house sellers can't alter events such as political chest-beating, general elections, prorogation or the strength of the pound, what they can do is identify the best time of the year to put their house up for sale.
What is The Best Season to Sell a House?
Most British home buying experts agree that spring is the best season to sell a house quickly. This is because people are not yet on summer holidays, Christmas is long past, and homes look their best with more sunlight and blooming gardens.
Spring months (March, April, and May):
If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably noticed how appealing properties can look in spring. Think about it – have you ever walked down your street when the gardens are blooming, and everything just feels more inviting?
According to Zoopla, spring is often considered the best time to sell a house in the UK, and I’ve seen firsthand how true that is. I always advise clients to consider listing in March or April. From my experience, buyers are more active during these months, and homes tend to sell faster when everything’s in bloom. It’s the perfect time to capture attention.
Take for example this scenario:
In April, Sarah and James, a couple in their 30s, moved into their new home just as spring was in full bloom. They had been actively searching for months but decided to close the deal in early spring to enjoy the best of both the season and the market.
"We chose spring because everything felt right— the gardens were coming to life, and it gave us a clearer picture of the property's potential," shared Sarah. "We wanted to settle in before the summer rush, and the entire process felt smooth and stress-free. The market was competitive, but it was the perfect time for us to make a move."
Related read: Boosting Kerb Appeal UK: Tips for a Stunning Home Front
Summer Months: June, July, and August:
The summer months might also be a good time to sell your home. Potential buyers have more time and desire to examine houses when the days are longer and the weather is nicer.
Family-friendly properties are in high demand throughout the summer since families frequently migrate during this period before the start of the new school year.
Lee Koffman, the Director at Robert Irving Burns in London, stated:
"Make sure to decorate the home in line with the season, to help potential buyers to visualise themselves living there. Carrying out viewings in the spring or summer? Buyers are going to pay extra attention to any outdoor space you have, so make sure the garden is presentable.”
Early fall (September or October):
The beginning of autumn can be a wise time to sell your home. According to Zoopla, this is the second busiest time of the year since people want to move to their new home before Christmas.
The market is usually very active, and buyers who may have missed out on summer properties are still actively looking. Furthermore, the pleasant weather and autumnal hues can create a welcoming environment for property viewings.
Take advantage of the season's atmosphere and vibe to attract more potential buyers.
Pre-Christmas Period (November):
There are benefits to selling your home in November. Even though the holiday season is approaching, serious purchasers are still in the market. You can attract interested buyers who want to close the deal before the end of the year by listing your property before December.
Post-Holiday Season (January and February):
January and February might be appropriate months to put your house up for sale after the hectic holiday season.
After the winter break, a lot of prospective buyers tend to look again for homes; thus, there is frequently less competition from other sellers at this time. It's important to be mindful that the colder weather and any financial hardships caused by holiday expenses could have a minor impact on buyer activity.
Late Summer (August):
The later half of August, in particular, can be a wise time to sell your home. Serious buyers who have been actively looking throughout the summer may be more driven to make a purchase before autumn arrives.
Still, some purchasers may be on vacation or getting ready for the start of the new school year. Utilise the warm weather that is still here and make sure your property is well-presented to draw prospective buyers.
The Best Month and Day to Sell Your House
The best time to sell your house quickly is when there are plenty of buyers and fewer competing sellers.
If you’re looking to sell quickly, March is your best bet. From my experience, homes listed in March often sell faster. And have you noticed Fridays are great for moving? Data from Compare My Move shows Friday listings attract 34% more buyers, so aim for that day to maximise interest.
On the other hand, Sunday is the least popular, with only 2.69% moving, mostly because solicitors, banks, and estate agents are unavailable.
Tim Bannister from Rightmove also points out: “It’s also when we’ve historically seen the most buyers sending enquiries to agents, so it’s a great time for those looking to sell to make sure they are listed, their marketing is strong and they’re pricing attractively enough against other sellers.” “The best time to get moving is the time that’s right for you – we can’t always plan or predict when a life move is needed. However, for those who are able to be a bit more flexible about when they decide to sell, the data shows typically the start of the year has been particularly strong.
So, if you can be flexible, March and Friday are great combos for selling fast and getting your property in front of motivated buyers.
What Month is the Hardest to Sell a House?
December is typically the most challenging month to sell a house in the UK.
The holiday season often diverts potential buyers' attention, and adverse weather conditions can make properties less appealing. Additionally, shorter daylight hours limit viewing opportunities, contributing to a slower market during this period.
How Long It Takes To Sell a House in the UK
We now know the best time to sell your house - spring and early summer, as well as the worst months to sell in the UK.
Furthermore, thanks to some data released we identified that homes take an average of 57 days to get sold during March and an average of 79 during Mid-November.
We have also discovered that over half of Brits overestimate the time it takes to sell a property. In a study carried out by an online property sales giant, it shows that while most think it'll take over two months to receive an acceptable offer, the actual figure is averaging just 50 days.
Advice from our Property Expert Paul: "In my two decades of selling homes, I've learned that timing is crucial - but preparation is equally important. I always advise homeowners that having your paperwork ready before listing can cut weeks off your sale time. From my experience of over 1,000 successful sales, getting documents like your title deeds, energy performance certificates, and property information forms organized early shows buyers you're serious and prevents those frustrating delays we often see hold up completions."
Which Property Types Sell Faster Than Others?
Of course, we can't simply take the time of year as the only factor determining a quick house sale. We need to add the type of property into the mix – be it a family home, a first-time-buyer property, a retirement home, or bungalows.
Best time to sell a starter home: For 1 & 2-bed houses, flats and apartments, it seems that the best months for sales are January, February and September.
This, of course, seems to fly in complete contrast to the data listed earlier about the best months to sell. This is solely due to your audience: those looking to buy their first homes, such as young professionals and couples.
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September features highly because this target market has returned from their summer break and wants to buy a property and complete it before Christmas.
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January and February are vital months thanks to a ‘new year – new start' philosophy.
Best time to sell a family home: Family properties, in other words, 3-4 bedroom homes, are in demand for those with very different priorities (and responsibilities) than the first-time buyer. The primary issue when it comes to dedicating time to a serious property search is:
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When are the school holidays? Because let's face it, house hunting is time-consuming, relentless, and – with kids in tow – distinctly unappealing.
Best time to sell a retirement home/bungalow: Retirement homes and bungalows, on the other hand, attract a very different type of buyer. This older, generally downsizing target market has progeny who have flown the nest, have more time on their hands, and are less prone to making snap decisions.
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The best time to sell this type of home is during the warmest months: June to September.
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The colder and darker months of the year will see this audience happily hunker down, leaving the house hunt for when the weather's likely to be more conducive to days out looking for that perfect retirement property.
Reasons for Selling your House ‘Out of Peak' Season
Of course, even considering all of the above, life doesn't always align to allow putting your property on the market at the time experts believe to be the ‘best'.
Sometimes, you need to sell your house and sell it fast, whatever the time of year.
But don't despair because house sales come with unique advantages outside the peak selling times.
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Most other people are playing the strategy game, meaning fewer properties are on the market. This equals less competition for you.
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The buyers are less likely ‘tyre kickers' and more those with the means and funds ready to make a deal.
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All the professional services (solicitors, surveyors etc.) are less busy, so transactions are generally smoother and faster.
How Housebuyers4u Can Help Your Sale
Timing your house sale perfectly isn't always possible, but that's where we shine.
We are house buyers, we keep quick sales simple and stress-free. As one of the few cash property buying companies, we guarantee a sale within 7 days or on a timeline that suits you. No waiting for the right season or market conditions – we buy fast.
Whether you need to sell in peak season or during quieter months, we'll buy your property directly with our own funds. This means no waiting for the 'right time' and no completion chain delays."
Real Data Insights: What 600+ Property Sales Reveal About Peak Selling Months
Based on our extensive experience in the property market, we've analysed over 600 transactions handled by Housebuyers4u between 2023-2024. Our data strongly supports the industry trends while providing additional insights into the UK property market.
Key findings from our internal data:
- March Performance: Our data confirms March as the optimal month for selling, with properties selling in just 45 days on average - 27% faster than December.
- Sales Volume: We saw peak transaction volumes in March (76 sales) compared to December (38 sales), representing a 100% increase in activity.
- Pricing Optimisation: Properties sold in March achieved prices 5% above the annual average, while December sales typically settled 5% below average.
*Based on analysis of over 600 property transactions handled by Housebuyers4u between 2023-2024. Price values are shown as percentages relative to annual average
Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Selling your house at the right time can make a significant difference in how quickly it sells and the final price you receive. Whether you’re aiming for a fast sale or trying to maximise value, using this data to inform your decisions can make the process smoother and more successful.
Key Takeaways:
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The best time to sell your house is in March, ideally on a Monday, for optimal results.
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Spring tends to be the most active season for home sales, but factors like buyer demand and property type also play a role.
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A reputable quick sale company can be an alternative if you need to sell outside peak times or require a faster transaction.
4 Comments
A nice complete answer here with useful charts, I wish my estate agent had given such a good answer and I could have put my property on the market at a better time!
Really useful information especially the charts etc…should be planning my holidays around this I guess to enhance the chances of selling. Agents just tell you what you want to hear for sure! I have had my house on the market for over 6 months and reduced the price twice and eventually got an offer…but then fell through. If the agent had priced it right in the first place I probably would have not been on the market for months!
I assumed before reading spring/summer would be the best time to sell but it’s great to get a very specific time frame backed by data. Good stuff!
The internet has made it easy for Buyers to make comparisons and drive the Sellers’ prices down, especially at this time. The Agents tell you that you have had thousands of viewers on the marketing graphs, so why do you only receive two per cent of this total in viewings! Our House is a beautiful detached four bedroom two bathroom family house with solar panels. On our third agent now and still few viewers. These Agents do not have an answer.