Is September A Good Time To Sell My House In Harrogate?

24/08/2023

Many people believe spring and summer are the best months to sell a house. Viewings can take place later in the day thanks to the lighter evenings, and spring and summer traditionally see a rise in properties coming to market. But, with summer now almost over, you might be wondering, is September a good time to sell my house?

There are plenty of reasons why September is a good time to sell, with property website Rightmove confirming an increase in traffic numbers to their website in their most recent figures.

If you’re thinking of selling your property in Harrogate, here are our reasons why September is a great time to sell:

'Move In By Christmas' Motivates Buyers

Buyers who start looking for a new home in September are generally planning to be moved in by Christmas, particularly if they’re looking to host family and friends over the festive season.

As a result, they see December as a self-imposed deadline, encouraging them to make an offer quickly. Motivated buyers will be keen to speed up the buying process to meet their deadline!

The School Holidays Are Over

With the kids off school and families on holiday, most don’t have the time or energy to look seriously at properties during July and August.

However, once September comes around and the school term restarts, it's easier for buyers to fit the time in for viewings. It’s also better for sellers too. Keeping the house clean and allowing viewings during the day is so much less stressful with the kids back at school!

School Admission Deadlines

As any parent will know, school admission deadlines usually fall in late January or early February. Families looking to move into the local catchment area for a particular school will need to be moved into their new home by this point, making September an ideal month to start looking for a new home based on a three-month completion schedule.

You Can Highlight Features Of Your Home

With the colder months coming, gardens become less of a focus for buyers, as they’re more interested in a cosy home where they can stay warm. This gives sellers a fantastic chance to highlight the interior features that make their home ideal for the colder months. If you have a wood-burning stove or open fire, light it for ambience during viewings! Having an open fire lit for the listing photos can also really make your property stand out.

You Can Show Off The Views

If your home has incredible views that are obscured by fully blossomed trees in the spring and summer months, then September is a great time to highlight the views to buyers.

With autumn fast approaching and the leaves starting to fall, it's the ideal time for buyers to see the views at their best. Less dense foliage will also allow more light into your house and garden.

You’re More Likely To Get The Full Asking Price

Research shows that September is a strong month for buyers, with property searches high. This means more potential buyers for your property, which means more competition among buyers. When you consider the fact that there are more motivated buyers, it can create a perfect storm for sellers and you may attract multiplier offers.

Are There Other Good Months To Sell?

March is still considered by many people to be the best time to sell. Properties that come to the market during March do tend to sell quickest on average. There are several reasons why March is considered to be a good month.

The weather is getting milder, which encourages house viewings
Gardens are coming into bloom
The evenings are starting to get lighter, so buyers can see a house in its best light
There are usually plenty of buyers in the market for a new home
Kids are still in school, so busy parents have more time to view properties

However, it’s worth remembering that different times of the year can appeal to different buyers. First-time buyers and young couples may wait until the start of a new year to begin looking. Here the aim is to be in their new home in time for the summer when they can host friends and family into the evening.

Is September A Good Time To Sell My House?

Choose TLC Yorkshire Property Ltd and find out! We are your local estate agent in Harrogate.

What Next?

Ready to sell your property in Harrogate? Request a valuation here.

TLC Properties are your local estate agent in the Harrogate Area. Call us on 07825 924690 or email tom@tlc-properties.co.uk to find out how we can help you.