January is a time of clarity, after shaking off the tinsel and pine needles, it’s the time to return to everyday life with intentions of improving it – which is why plans for moving often come into fruition at this time of year.
If you have some reservations about putting your house on the market so soon after Christmas, here are some reasons not to worry and why in fact, January could be the perfect time to sell…
New Year, new home
Buyers on the market at this time of year have a completely different mindset than usual. January can feel like a page turned for many people, with plans for a new life right in the margins. You’re less likely to run into time wasters and tyre kickers in the New Year. People looking for a home at this time are serious about their plans, and if your home happens to match their criteria; you’re in luck.
Boast your home’s best features
Smart buyers will look for a home in the winter. Not only to avoid the summer frenzy, but also because cold weather is far more revealing, and homes can potentially look their worst in the winter. However, this is a great window of opportunity for sellers. Your agent will be able to showcase the comforts of your home with staging so that your bright, warm and welcoming house contrasts against the dark and cold. A cosy refuge from the cold that holds up nicely in the Winter is bound to look even better when the weather cheers up, and this prospect is certain to draw in buyers.
On the move
In the wake of the holiday season, January is known for being the busiest time of year when it comes to employee redistribution and staff changes. With many people working from home, a change of job may be the push needed for a change of working environment; instead of moving offices, people will be moving to new homes with better office space.
Now is also the perfect time for first-time-buyers to take their first step onto the property ladder. After spending Christmas indoors with family or in a small apartment, a change in environment could be just the thing they need.
Less competition
The winter months are a great time to put your house up for sale, particularly in January when the seasonal lull is still wearing off and fewer properties are on the market. You won’t need to fight for buyers’ attention, and the imbalance of supply and demand could be great news for sellers, as buyers know their options are fewer. It’s also easier to make your home stand out from a (smaller) crowd of homes on the market, and if yours has something special to offer, it won’t stay on the market for very long.
The green element
EPC ratings are becoming increasingly important, and the cold weather will allow you to show off your home’s energy efficiency. Buyers are becoming more conscious about energy bills and individual environmental impact at the moment, and a cosy property with an impressive EPC rating has never been more attractive to buyers than right now.
Ready to get your home on the market? Speak to our team of experts today to get started.
