More people start their search for a new home in spring, and we start seeing more properties listed for sale.
Over the past five years*, our research shows that March has been the best time of the year to sell a home.
Why is March the best time to sell?
The number of buyers enquiring about homes for sale on Rightmove is usually highest at this time of year. We see more buyers looking to move in March than in any other month of the year. Competition between buyers for the homes available is traditionally at its peak.
And the good news is that buyers have more homes to choose from in March than at the start of the year, as the number of properties for sale tends to also be highest. There are more homes being listed for sale this year compared with last year.
And lots of home-hunters are keen to move into a new home before the start of summer, with things like gardens and outdoor space at the top of many home-movers’ wish-lists.
So, if you’re thinking of putting your home on the market this spring, it could mean you’ll have a better chance of selling, and sooner, because more buyers are looking to move, and there’s more competition for every available home.
Our property expert Tim Bannister says: “For any sellers who might be conscious of coming to market at a time when the number of new listings has traditionally been high, the data shows us that demand in March means sellers are most likely to be met with a potential buyer for their home.”
How to be in the best position to buy when you find the ‘one’
If you’re looking to buy, there are lots of things you can do to get yourself ready, including checking recent sold prices in the areas you’re home-hunting in, setting up property alerts and getting a Mortgage in Principle in place. You can read our step-by-step guide to buying a home here.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, chances are you’ll be looking to buy a new property, too. Take a look at our guide to selling for help with making your sale go as smoothly as possible.
Another piece of guidance from estate agents is to make sure your home is on the market, or preferably sold subject to contract, before starting your property search. This is because many sellers will want to know their buyers have sales already agreed on their homes. If you have a home to sell, you can arrange a market valuation with an expert local agent here.
*Research excludes 2020 due to the pandemic
Source: Rightmove
