Marketing your property at the right time of year can have a big part to play in how quickly you sell it. Even in the competitive Bishop’s Stortford area, market it at the wrong time of year and you risk your property sitting out there for weeks, with your estate agent not receiving a single call. Once it’s been on the market for a while then people start to wonder ‘what’s wrong with it?’ Launch it at the right time of year however and you should sell your property quickly and for the right price.
So when IS the right time then?
Every property has a certain type of buyer it’s likely to attract. Your average Bishop’s Stortford apartment is probably going to appeal to first-time buyers, whereas a bungalow in Old Harlow might well appeal to retirees.
Once you’ve established who the right kind of buyer is for your home then it all makes sense.
Young couples and singles – first time buyers often begin their first home search very early in the year. Perhaps they have spent one Christmas too many at home with their relatives and realised it’s time to move out! Their search often starts in January and February and they’re generally searching for apartments or terraced properties. So if your property appeals to first time buyers, launch early in the year to get the best results.
Families – family buyers often choose when term time starts to begin their property search, so if you have a family home you’re best launching your property in spring, early summer or autumn to get the maximum amount of interest. If you have a three bedrooms plus property that would appeal to a family then your best month to launch is September when the kids have gone back to school and parents can start viewing in peace.
Older couples – generally downsizing, this group generally prefers to look for a property when it’s warmer. Not wanting to venture out in rain or snow, bungalows and retirement properties can struggle to sell in the depths of winter. Launch your bungalow in the late spring through to early autumn to get the best chance of selling quickly.
Generally there are a few times that are best avoided by every property owner, like before Christmas. Make sure you do your research and work out exactly who you are trying to attract before you go ahead and put it on the market. Launch your property at the time of year that’s best for your buyer and not for yourself.