Whether it’s to cut down on spending, or to lose the Christmas waistline, the new year signals a chance to start something new. And now is a great time to kick-start your house move: and we are on hand to help get you moving

There is a common belief that you should wait until the spring until you put your property on the market. However, millions of people access property websites and apps during the new year, as January is the month where people start to dream of making changes to their life.

Is January a good time to sell?

In the past, it was common to see house hunters waiting until the warmer months to buy or sell a property. However, thanks to the internet, house hunters are trawling through properties 24/7, so if you list your home now then it will be shared with a captive audience.

In fact, the darker and colder evenings could work to your advantage when selling your home, as you can use lighting to make the house seem homely and stylish. Incorporating different light sources, such as table or standing lamps and overhead lights, can improve the mood of the room.

When the weather is cold outside, putting the heating on an hour before the viewing, and making your potential buyers a nice cup of tea will make them feel more cosy and warm. Not only would this give your home a cosy feel, but you would be making them happier and potentially encourage a sale.

Despite selling in January proving rewarding, some people may still hold out until later in the year which means there will be an influx in houses on the market in the spring. Therefore, putting your home on the market now could mean less competition.

And if you’re looking to buy, then viewing a house in the winter can help you to try out things you wouldn’t be able to in the summer. For example, it may be cold outside but if the house you’re in is nice and warm, it shows reliable insulation and no signs of drafts.

Preparing for the move

During anytime of the year, planning the house move from start to finish is crucial; no more so than the hectic month of January. That said, kick-starting your property move in the new year doesn’t have to be difficult – you may just need a few pointers, and we can help!

Set yourself a plan of what you need to do to achieve your big move, and a date you would like to realistically be moved in by. It is worth remembering that people are busy during January, so flexibility, as always, is crucial for speeding up your sale. Within your plan, it’s also worth outlining your budget, who you need to notify of your change of address, and how you are going to move your belongings from your home to another.

Over Christmas time, it is inevitable that your home will have extra furniture, gadgets, toys and decorations, so the first thing to do is to de-clutter. This is easier than you may think. Utilise storage space including cupboards, garages and lofts you may have to put away any unused furniture and extra ornaments.

Box up the decorations and the tree, and hoover up all the little bits of green pine that mysteriously find their way around the house – and those chocolate wrappers that end up under the sofa! If you have time, a clean of the carpets would prove dividends.

House-hunters will always be looking at the potential inside a house, therefore it’s important that the home is as free from clutter as it can be. Having too much clutter around the house may impact the viewer’s vision, harming your chances of selling.

Those small house repairs that you said you, “will do sometime after Christmas” can help to sell your home quicker too. If you were to change the broken lightbulb in the bathroom, touch up any cracks in the wall, repair the leaking pipe, or unclog the drain, then you could find that interest in your home takes a big rise.

When it comes to your garden, give it a spring clean. Pick out any overgrown or dead shrubs and weeds, cut the grass and brush away any dead leaves on the ground. One good idea is to show viewers pictures of the garden in the summer, with the family gathering on the patio, soaking up the sun and enjoying a barbecue.

Once you feel like you are ready to get your house on the market, it’s important that you choose an agent who you can rely upon and understands your needs and flexibility, which is where we come in! Take time to read and listen to what people have said about our service – and you can talk to us too about how we can achieve your home’s full potential.