Timing can prove just as crucial as pricing when preparing to sell your property, with seasonal patterns and economic factors significantly influencing success rates. Recent data indicates a resurgence in UK housing market activity, offering renewed opportunities for both sellers and buyers in the coming year.
Market Recovery Gains Momentum
Improved confidence is gradually returning to the property sector following a challenging period leading up to November's Budget, which prompted many potential sellers to adopt a wait-and-see approach. According to real estate data company TwentyCi, over 105,000 UK home sales were estimated to have been agreed in December, representing a three per cent increase compared to twelve months earlier.
Meanwhile, property portal Zoopla reports approximately 663,000 residential properties currently available on the market across Britain, marking a three per cent rise from the same period last year. Rose Parsons, director at estate agents Hemmingfords, observes that "confidence is gradually returning to the market" as mortgage rates become more predictable and buyer enquiries begin to increase.
Spring Emerges as Prime Selling Season
While expert opinions vary regarding the absolute best time to sell, with political and economic developments capable of influencing decisions, substantial research indicates the first half of the year typically represents the most popular period to commence the selling process.
Parsons identifies April and May as traditionally among her firm's busiest months for new property listings each year. This pattern aligns with Zoopla's data, which shows May has returned as the most popular month for new listings during the past two consecutive years.
Historical Listing Patterns
An examination of recent years reveals a consistent preference for spring listings:
- 2017: May
- 2018: May
- 2019: May
- 2020: July
- 2021: March
- 2022: March
- 2023: June
- 2024: May
- 2025: May
Guy Robinson, head of residential at estate agents Strutt & Parker, explains that "typically the housing market builds momentum from March, peaking in May, and then re-surging in the early autumn." He notes that vendors often aim to take advantage of seasonal factors including improved photography conditions with leaves on trees, alongside timing transactions to align with holiday periods and the academic calendar.
Understanding Buyer Demand Patterns
David Fell, lead analyst at estate agency Hamptons, emphasises that properties generally achieve the best chance of selling quickly when launched synchronously with periods of heightened buyer activity. His firm's analysis of the past five years reveals that buyers are most likely to commence their property search at three key intervals:
- The very beginning of the year
- During spring half term
- Towards the end of the summer holidays
January consistently records the highest number of potential customers registering with Hamptons, followed by July and March. The company further notes that January represents the most active month for first-time buyers and investors to sign up, while second home purchasers demonstrate peak registration activity during July and August.
Fell cautions that "buyers can become wary of homes which have languished on the market for a little while, meaning properties launched at quieter times can be somewhat overlooked."
Current Mortgage Landscape
For homeowners seeking reassurance regarding attractive mortgage terms to encourage potential buyers, the present period and coming months may represent a sensible time to initiate the sales process. As of January 12th, average two and five-year fixed mortgage rates stood at 4.8 per cent and 4.89 per cent respectively, according to financial information provider Moneyfacts.
Richard Dana, founder of mortgage broker Tembo, confirms that "lending conditions are significantly more favourable than a year ago." He notes that "the market has been steadily picking up since the Budget, with notably higher activity over the 'Twixmas' period that has continued into the new year."
Dana further highlights improved affordability, as numerous lenders have increased loan-to-income multiples, providing first-time buyers with greater flexibility to borrow according to their preferences. With lower overall lending volumes in late 2025, many major banks are now competing aggressively on price, "a trend that is clearly working in borrowers' favour."
Strategic Considerations for Sellers
Robinson advises homeowners to carefully factor in transaction timelines when selecting a listing date, noting that "typically, a transaction takes about 30 per cent longer than five years ago due to delays in conveyancing, searches, due diligence, not to mention a steadying increase in average length of chain last year."
He recommends that both buyers and sellers "have to be increasingly prepared for the market, whether that means taking photographs in the summer before launching early in the year, or allowing for delayed completions to fit with preferable timeframes." This strategic approach can help maximise the likelihood of successful transactions during optimal selling periods.
