Spring has sprung: why now is the perfect time to sell

Spring is the season of new beginnings, and this is especially true in the property market. This year, Rightmove reported that 4.5 million house-hunters visited the site every single day in January. If you've been toying with the idea of selling your home, here are the top reasons why spring is the best time to sell your house.

Buyers are less occupied

Summer means jetting off on holiday, while winter means a preoccupation with Christmas. People aren't as busy during spring (and to a lesser extent in autumn). In particular, families find it easier to house-hunt during spring as children are in school for most of the season – read our ['selling points' guide] to learn how to pitch your property to families.

Your house looks its best

As the sun comes out and your garden and window boxes begin to flower, this will help you make that all-important excellent first impression. Good kerb appeal can add thousands to the price of your property. More than [two-fifths of buyers] (44%) admit they would try to knock 10%-20% off the asking price if a property isn't appealing from the outside.

The weather is better

Nobody wants to drive from home to home in the rain or snow. Mild spring weather makes exploring the neighbourhood more pleasant for buyers. Also, the warmer weather creates a more comfortable environment for sprucing up your exteriors – so seize the opportunity to tidy your garden and give your front door and window frames a fresh coat of paint.

Time is of the essence for buyers

Many buyers will be in a hurry to complete their purchase before summer, especially families that want to settle in quickly and register their children at school before the next term. So, if you’re hoping for a quick sale, marketing your property in spring is a good idea. Make sure to emphasise your outdoor space and local parks as buyers will be thinking about summer entertainment.

More competition = higher offers

As the housing market is saturated with buyers during spring, you're likely to receive more offers on your home. Not only that, buyers will know – or will quickly find out – that there's a lot of interest, so they are more likely to submit higher offers to beat the competition.