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Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The best time of year to sell your house
Forget freshly painted walls or the smell of baking bread – the trick to selling your home may just be to do it in the right season for your house. A glorious garden in the summer, or underfloor heating in the winter, can sway a buyer to spend a little more on a home. In fact, sellers can make tens of thousands more by selling at the right time of year, a recent study has found. Houses with a south-facing garden, an outdoor entertainment area and a hot tub can command a price of up to £22,000 more during the summer, based on the £324,000 average price of a three-bed home in the UK, according to analysis by property website Zoopla. Even a balcony adds over £4,000 to a home's price tag if sold in the summer compared to other seasons. Those planning to sell their home in the second half of 2025, and are bracing for a sluggish market, should time their sale accordingly to secure the best deal. Tom Bill, of estate agent Knight Frank, says: 'The defining factor of today's market is that there's a huge amount of supply. With so many homes on the market, buyers are in control and are not in any kind of rush to make a decision. 'Combined with an overhang of stock from the stamp duty cliff-edge back in March, and a delay in people selling last year while people waited to see what the Labour Budget would bring, there's a huge amount of competition for sellers.' Contributing to the surplus of property available to buy is landlords selling up because renting is not as lucrative any more. Increased taxes, higher mortgage rates and stricter regulations have triggered a spike in property investors getting out. The proportion of landlords listing property for sale at the start of this year jumped by almost 50pc compared to last year, according to data from TwentyCi. Meanwhile, homes with features such as wood-burning fireplaces or Aga-style range cookers can achieve a premium in the winter, the Zoopla analysis found. Underfloor heating could command an additional £4,000 and good energy-efficiency measures add around £3,400. Daniel Copley, of Zoopla, said: 'It's clear that homebuyers are swayed by the season, and in some cases, certain features can help sellers achieve more for their home. 'All homes differ, however, so sellers should get bespoke advice from an estate agent, who will be able to advise if their home might be more desirable and command a higher asking price during the summer.' Claire Carter, of agent John D Wood & Co, added that while some features were seasonal, some could be attractive to buyers all year round. 'I'm seeing growing demand for natural swimming ponds or lakes, which tend to hold their appeal year-round. Buyers are increasingly aware of the health benefits – they're better for the environment, chemical-free and fit more naturally with the landscape. 'Unlike a traditional pool, which feels seasonal, a well-designed swimming lake can feel like part of the countryside, being usable in the summer and beautiful even in the winter,' she said. Is there an optimum season for selling property? Spring and autumn are typically the key months when it comes to property buying and selling. During the summer, people's minds tend to be more focused on holidays and keeping the kids entertained while school is closed. And in the winter months, people tend to move less while they focus on Christmas and New Year festivities. Bill said: 'Spring is usually a busy time, but this year it was different because there was the stamp duty change on April 1 so there was a rush from January to get completion through beforehand. 'Looking forward to the autumn we will be on the approach to the next Budget, with speculation in the run up often causing sentiment to drop. 'The good news is that we are expecting another interest rate cut in August which means the cost of borrowing should fall, boosting confidence in the property market. Buyers often have an ambition to be settled in their new home by Christmas.' How long does it take to sell a house? Unhelpfully, there is no definite answer for how long it takes a house to sell, it depends on where and what you're selling – and the market conditions at the time. The most comprehensive measure of the time it takes to sell a home begins from the date it is first listed with an agent until the date of completion. On average, it takes 205 days to complete, according to data from property analyst firm TwentyEA, on behalf of agent Cavendish. This is an increase of 10 days when comparing January to May 2025 with the same timeframe in 2024. Faster completions are usually helped by pricing keenly. Nick Leeming, chairman of estate agent Jackson-Stops, said: 'In the current market, it's essential for sellers to remember there is always demand for a sensibly priced property. 'At a time when transactions on average are now taking more than 200 days to complete, sellers looking for a quick sale need to keep the realities of their local market front of mind.' Should I put my house on the market before finding somewhere to buy? If it's a competitive market, as a buyer you'll do well to be 'proceedable' – in other words, with an offer accepted on your current home. There's no legal requirement for you to do so, but it puts you in a stronger position for a seller to accept your offer if there are other interested buyers – or even if there are several offers on the same place. In fact, many people go one step further and sell first, place their things in storage and rent for a short spell. This makes you chain-free and in pole position in most cases. However, this is only necessary if it's a very competitive and fast-moving area with a short supply of the types of home you're looking for.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Share of US Home Sellers at Risk of Taking a Loss Increases, Redfin Says
The proportion of US home sellers who may sell at a loss has increased year on year, though that sha Sign in to access your portfolio
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Crucial move to boost your home's value by 20 per cent
Selling your home? Get out your scrubbing brush. In fact, if there was ever a time where becoming completely pedantic about keeping your home spotless equated with money smarts, this would be it. Real estate experts say a deep clean is an essential part of any sales campaign that can add value depending on how well it's done. But what are the most important jobs that need to be tackled? And what do you stand to lose if you forget about a few things here and there? WORST THINGS FIRST Smell. It's an absolute killer when it comes to first impressions, says founder and managing director at Horwood Nolan Ben Horwood. 'Bad smells really, really turn people off,' he says. 'It's the worry of not being able to get rid of the smell. It makes them question what has gone on to create it – it just makes people very suspect.' It is for this reason anything likely to hold odours, namely soft furnishings, needs to be cleaned. Mould also should be dealt with, both inside and out, and windows should be cleaned, he says. Professional cleaner and co-founder of Ministry of Cleaning Prerna Jain says kitchens and bathrooms should be deep cleaned, adding that buyers notice small details such as the condition of the grout, whether the shower screens and mirrors are streak-free and whether the tapware shines. 'People often forget to clean window tracks, skirting boards, light switches, the tops of cupboards, and behind appliances,' she adds. 'These little things can make a big difference. If buyers spot dust or grime in these areas, they might wonder if other parts of the home have been neglected, which could make them hesitant or offer less.' Other things to focus on include decluttering, cleaning the flooring, tidying the garden and sprucing up the entrance. 'When a home looks clean and well cared for, buyers see it as move-in ready and are often willing to pay more,' Jain says. Horwood says a well-executed deep clean and declutter can add 5-20 per cent value to the property. PSYCHOLOGY OF CLEAN A spotless property creates a good first impression among buyers who equate cleanliness with good maintenance, says Jain. But there is also the convenience factor, says director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors Justine Wilson. 'Buyers are really looking for move in ready,' she says. 'Everyone's time poor and they don't want to spend their first few weekends in the home sugar soaping the walls.' She says a professional clean can even change the buyer's perception around whether the home needs a renovation, especially if the cleaner you engage is able to do things like rectify discoloured grout. Alternatively, there are grout pens and paint available to consumers if you are feeling confident. Wilson says it's also important to declutter and remove as much of your personal items as possible, even if you are still living in the home. For example, you could have extra cabinets in your bedroom to house your collection of designer shoes, or over the toilet shelves in the bathroom. But if you leave these items in your home, buyers might think there isn't enough built-in storage, she says. DEEP CLEAN CHECKLIST Don't forget to do these things before you list your home for sale. • Deep clean bathrooms – focus on grout, screens and tapware • Deep clean kitchen – don't forget the oven, inside and above cabinets, exhaust fans and behind appliances • Remove any mould – check inside and out • Steam clean carpet – and any other soft furnishings to remove odours • Clean all flooring – and keep it clean • Clean your grout – if you have tiled flooring you may need professional help • Clean windows – get a professional if they are up high and don't forget window tracks • Tidy garden – weed, mulch, prune, mow and keep it neat • Tidy entrance – make it inviting • Scuff marks on walls – sugar soap wipes are very handy • Light switches and skirtings – give them a wipe down • Do a smell test – see if there is anything you missed
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Property expert reveals ten things homeowners can do on the cheap (or for free) right now to add value to their home in time for a summer sale
A property expert has revealed her top tips for homeowners looking to sell their homes this summer. Liv Conlon, 26, originally from Glasgow, runs an award-winning property staging business that furnishes over 400 homes a year to make them more appealing to potential buyers, as well as StagerBoss - a coaching business that teaches other women how to do the same. This summer, experts are predicting a summertime boom with increased interest from potential buyers, Liv explained, adding that property prices are also expected to rise. However, she added, 'This doesn't mean your house sale is guaranteed - nor that you'll be able to sell it at the fee you want for it, or even above. 'As the CEO of a multi-award-winning property staging business, ThePropertyStagers, this is where my expertise comes in. I've helped thousands of homeowners sell their homes faster and for above the asking price. 'Whether you have a sprawling garden or a cosy top-floor flat with no outdoor space, summer is the season to make the most of your entire home. 'This doesn't have to mean expensive renovations or a full décor overhaul. Sometimes, small, inexpensive changes can have the biggest impact.' As such, Liv, who now lives in Marbella, has shared her top ten affordable furnishing tips that might help a home stand out from the crowd. First, property expert Liv advised sellers to switch up soft furnishings inside the home. She said, 'One of the quickest ways to signal a new season is with your textiles. Swap heavy throws and dark cushions for lighter, brighter options. 'Think jewel-toned velvets for a bold look or soft lavenders, pale greens, and sunshine yellows for a subtler summer palette. Lightweight linen or cotton fabrics also keep your space feeling breezy and fresh.' Next, she said seasonal tableware can make a world of a difference in creating a summer haven. 'You don't need a garden to embrace alfresco vibes,' she said, adding, 'Treat yourself to colourful outdoor-style tableware - melamine plates, acrylic tumblers, or bamboo salad bowls - that feel fun, casual, and summery. 'Lay your table with a vibrant runner, some woven placemats and enjoy meals that feel like mini holidays.' Liv also said that adding fresh or faux flowers in every room can help attract potential buyers. She said, 'Flowers are the ultimate seasonal refresh. Dot fresh blooms around your home - in the hallway, on coffee tables, even the bathroom. She urged those looking to sell their homes to refresh their furnishings to help attract potential buyers 'If you're on a budget or want longevity, high-quality faux stems can have the same uplifting effect and last all summer long.' Liv's fourth tip was to alter the scent of the home depending on the season, adding that it's a 'powerful' tool. She said, 'Swap out woody or spiced winter candles for fresh citrus, coconut, sea salt or fig-inspired fragrances. 'A diffuser or a few scented tealights in summery notes can subtly transform the atmosphere of your space.' Liv's next tip explained the importance of using mirrors to reflect natural light during the summertime. She said, 'Summer is all about sunshine. Reflect more natural light by adding mirrors to darker corners, or repositioning existing ones to catch the morning or evening light. 'You could even pick up inexpensive stick-on mirror tiles to create a bespoke reflective feature wall.' Liv also provided five tips that might help improve the appearance of outdoor space, including refreshing outdoor cushions. She said, 'Outdoor cushions take a beating in the elements, so if yours are faded or stained, it's time for a quick revamp. 'Look for affordable cushion covers in bold stripes, tropical prints, or Mediterranean-inspired patterns. Even a new set of ties or trims can make existing cushions feel brand new.' Liv added that colourful glassware can also help draw positive attention. 'Whether it's a balcony, a courtyard, or a full patio, adding a splash of colour to your outdoor dining setup goes a long way. 'Think coloured glass tumblers, carafes, or even mismatched vintage finds. They sparkle in the sunlight and create an instant sense of celebration. Next, Liv added some simple steps to help homeowners revive tired outdoor furniture without having to splash out on new items. She said, 'A quick scrub-down with soapy water, a coat of spray paint in a bold hue, or a wood stain refresher can make old chairs or benches look brand new. Add a throw or outdoor blanket to soften the space.' Liv also advised homeowners to introduce solar lighting. She said, 'Create evening magic with inexpensive solar lanterns, string lights or LED tea lights. 'Line a path, hang lights in a tree, or dot them around your balcony railing. They're budget-friendly, eco-conscious and they extend your summer evenings outdoors. The property expert's last piece of advice was for homeowners to 'plant with personality'. She said, 'If you don't have a garden, try window boxes, balcony pots, or even a vertical planter. 'Look for bright flowers like geraniums, petunias, or marigolds - or go for herbs like basil and mint that are both beautiful and practical. Upcycle old tins or baskets into quirky planters for added charm. 'Summer is about creating spaces that invite you to relax, unwind and enjoy. Whether you're sipping spritzers on a patio or lounging under a fan in a studio flat, these simple updates can breathe fresh life into your home.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Selling your home? Don't forget to stage your GARDEN: From a neat trick with paint to whether metal or wood is better, how to add value for less
If you're poised to put your home on the market, you're likely to have given it a declutter and deep clean, as well as refreshed any tired paintwork. But you may not have given the garden as much attention as you should –which experts say is a big mistake.
