Winter Selling – Should I Wait?

Why Winter Might Be the Smartest Time to Sell — Don’t Wait Until Boxing Day

Many homeowners assume the property market only springs back into life after Christmas — but listing your home in winter (not waiting until Boxing Day) can offer several strategic advantages. Backed by recent UK data, here’s why you might want to make your move now.

🔷 Demand Remains — and You Can Stand Out

It’s true that fewer homes typically change hands in the coldest months: according to Which?, there were 17% fewer home sales in winter compared to summer in recent years.
But this lower supply can work in your favour. With fewer properties on the market, serious buyers have less competition, potentially giving your listing more visibility and stronger positioning.

🔷 You May Be Able to Command a Higher Price

It’s not just about fewer listings — timing matters. Research from GetAgent, analysing ten years of sales data, shows average transaction prices in winter (£216,541) are actually higher than in spring (£207,761), and very slightly above summer (£213,196).

That suggests that certain buyers, perhaps those paying attention to value, or who are looking for a more emotionally compelling purchase, are active in winter and still willing to pay competitively.

🔷 Seasonal Features Can Boost Your Appeal

Zoopla’s research highlights how “wintry” home features can add real value. For instance:

👉 A traditional or wood-burning fireplace can add 1.41% to your asking price, roughly £4,568 on an average UK three-bed home.

👉 Energy-efficient features (insulation, double glazing) similarly add around 1.05% (~£3,402).
This means that well-staged winter characteristics could genuinely resonate with buyers — giving your property a financial and emotional edge.

🔷 Buyers in Winter Are Often More Motivated & Informed

According to HomeMove, buying in colder months can reveal more than a summer viewing, buyers can see how well the property retains heat, how effective the insulation is, and whether anything creaks or leaks in bad weather.

That transparency builds confidence, often leading to more serious offers from people who are truly ready to move.

🔷 New-Build Market Trends Are Even More Encouraging

In the new-build segment, winter can be especially positive. Unlatch’s long-term analysis (over 10 years) shows that while only around 22.4% of annual new-build transactions complete in winter, those deals often achieve the highest average prices.

This trend suggests that even in a quieter season, committed buyers are prepared to pay strong value, especially for modern, energy-efficient homes.

🔷 The Post-Christmas Rush Isn’t Always What It’s Cracked Up to Be

While many sellers wait for the Boxing Day bounce, it’s worth remembering that earlier listing avoids the potential flood of new properties that arrive after Christmas. By coming to market now, you:

👉 Capture winter buyers before competition intensifies.

👉 Avoid being just another Boxing Day listing in a crowded market.

👉 Showcase your home’s seasonal features at their very best (warm, cosy, inviting).

🔷 Recent Market Momentum Supports Action

According to Zoopla, the housing market started 2025 strongly, with new sales agreed up 12% year-on-year, and a large pipeline of deals waiting to complete.
And while transaction volumes are seasonal (higher in summer, lower in winter), the end-of-year data (December 2024) from the UK House Price Index shows a solid 18.7% increase in property transactions compared to the previous December — indicating that winter deals are very much alive.

🔷 Final Thought

Waiting until Boxing Day may feel like the “traditional” selling strategy. But by listing in winter, you can take advantage of a leaner market, motivated buyers and seasonal features that resonate emotionally — plus strong data suggesting winter listings can perform very well. If you’re ready to make a move, now could be a golden opportunity.

✨ If you would like tailored advice about buying, selling or investing locally, get in touch with your nearest Hannells branch or arrange a free, no-obligation property valuation today.

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