The colours are changing, the clocks are going back, and Christmas is fast approaching.
“You should wait until the new year before you go house hunting. Shouldn’t you?”
“NO!!”
“So, right now is an absolutely terrible time to jump into the housing market. Isn’t it?”
“ABSOLUTELY NOT!”
Let us explain why.
Firstly, in autumn, the market can work in your favour.
Probably the best reason for house hunting in the autumn is that many people don’t. So the market tends to be less frantic. That gives you more time to think about what you really want. More time to do viewings. More time to think about it. And more time to put in an offer.
Chances are there will be a little less competition from other buyers, too. So maybe there’s more chance an offer on your dream home will be accepted.
(This all works in your favour if you’ve got a house to sell, too. The buyers who are in the market in the autumn are often the most serious buyers.)
Secondly, house hunting in autumn is really great timing. (This is kind of clever!)
Even if you’re incredibly organised, moving takes time as there is lots of red tape to navigate, such as mortgage applications and conveyancing.
By starting your house hunt now, all the paperwork can be going through when the weather gets really grim. Then, hopefully, you’ll be all ready to get the keys to your new home early in 2025.
Moving house in the days before Christmas sounds romantic… but really it isn’t. (Trust us, we know!)
By setting the wheels in motion now, there’s a very good chance you’ll be able to move in at one of the best times of the year… the early spring.
Now doesn’t that sound much better?
Thirdly, it’s easier to spot any potential problems.
You get a much more realistic view of a property when you view it in the cooler, wetter months, when problems such as damp and mould are easier to identify.
You can then factor these problems, along with any other work that needs doing, into your pricing should you decide to make an offer.
But one last thing…
At the end of the day, although autumn is a great time of year for house hunting, the best and best-priced properties sell quickly at any time of year.
So, if you’ve been thinking about house hunting, don’t delay. We can certainly show you what is available now in the area and within your budget.
If you’ve got a property to sell, we can also advise about selling at this time of year.
Either way, house hunting is a great move right now.
If you’re considering selling your home, contact us today for a free valuation.