Selling your home before Christmas? Estate agent warns of pitfalls that could delay a sale

As the festive season approaches, homeowners looking to sell their properties before Christmas are facing a race against time to secure a successful sale.

Property expert Jack Malnick from SellHouseFast.co.uk has shared crucial advice for those hoping to move house before the new year.

With the property market entering a notoriously challenging period, sellers need to be particularly strategic about how they present and market their homes.

Jack said: “Christmas provides a nice solid deadline for people to move into their new homes and is probably the time of year with the most urgency.”

The key, according to the specialist, lies in avoiding common pitfalls that could delay or derail a pre-Christmas sale. When it comes to staging your home for sale during the festive period, less is definitely more, according to industry experts.

“Clear as many surfaces as you can and make use of any storage to get all your clutter out of the way,” advised Jack.

He suggested using this opportunity to prepare for moving by decluttering unwanted items and creating an inviting atmosphere. While seasonal touches can enhance appeal, sellers should be cautious with festive decorations.

He continued: “Some nice seasonal decorations always go down well to add that homely feeling, but don’t get carried away – less is more.”

Focus on soft furnishings like blankets, throws and cushions with autumnal tones, while avoiding anything too themed or garish. The majority of buyers struggle to see past personal style and decor, making neutral staging crucial for success.

Photography timing is crucial when marketing a property during the darker winter months. He added: “Don’t take your pictures in the afternoon when it’s starting to get dark, as you want to make the most of the best light.”

He recommended mid-day photography on a crisp, sunny day for optimal results. External presentation requires particular attention during autumn and winter months.

“Don’t forget that first impressions are everything, so you might need to spend some time sweeping leaves away from the front door, removing spiderwebs and making it look as inviting as possible,” he added.

“Once snow is on the ground, it’s really hard to make the external photos of your property look good. If you don’t sell by Christmas you will have to get new photos.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Mould is on the rise and it can attack your property in no time – how to prevent
• The cheapest places to live across the UK shared – average house prices from £50,000
• December is ‘perfect time’ to move home – ‘make significant savings’

The same principles apply to viewings, with midday weekend slots offering the best conditions. Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere is essential when people come to see the property in winter, experts emphasised.

The estate agent added: “When you have viewings make sure it’s nice and warm inside, trust me it’s worth the extra spend – there’s nothing worse than wandering around a freezing cold house trying to work out if you want to live there or not.”

The goal is to help potential buyers envision their future life in the property. “You want people to feel like they just want to snuggle up on the sofa with a blanket on them and a nice cup of hot chocolate,” he added.

Understanding viewing patterns is also crucial for sellers. Contrary to expectations, weekday evenings generate the most enquiries, not weekends.

Jack explained: “Strangely, it’s a Tuesday evening when the largest amount of enquiries come in. Agents typically launch properties on a Friday night expecting a weekend rush but the reality is quite different – everyone is a bit distracted at the weekend.”

For those hoping to sell before Christmas, acting quickly is crucial. “The closer to Christmas you get, you’ll get fewer buyers and the less chance of the legal work being done in time.” This seasonal deadline creates a natural sense of urgency among both buyers and sellers.

However, this urgency needs to be balanced with proper preparation and presentation. With the countdown to Christmas underway, sellers are advised to list their properties promptly to maximise their chances of completing before the holiday season.

Those thinking of selling should act now, Jack emphasised, noting “if you are thinking of selling then now is the time to push the button.”