Nick Doyle, Operations Director, Aitchisons, wonders what impact Christmas and New Year will have on the selling process.

A sure sign the festive period is upon us is that the annual battle for the most popular Christmas advert starts to heat up with the aim of being the most effective at pulling heartstrings and prising open wallets.

Unlike retail, the active housing market is traditionally quieter during this period although there are always some new instructions, sales and a number of transactions to complete with buyers keen to move in and get their decorations up in their new homes. But, in the background, there is always a very large ‘spike’ in activity on property portals over the holiday period. Last year, Rightmove enjoyed over 1 million visits just on Christmas Day whilst Zoopla reported a 60 per cent increase in enquiries and over 7 million visits over the festive period.

On the one hand, there is an understandable reluctance by sellers to market their homes until well into the New Year when they will be free from relatives, wrapping paper and the Christmas tree! On the other hand, we know that a significant proportion of next year’s demand will be logging on once the turkey has gone into the bin thereby taking advantage of the time that everyone is at home.

If you are thinking of selling in the New Year there is a way towards getting the best of both worlds. Each year we hear from some sellers (early birds) who want to take advantage of that large “spike” in activity on property portals before the traditional increase in supply in the first quarter of the New Year – we are instructed to log enquiries over the holiday period but to delay commencing viewings until after the holidays are over.

As a leading independent estate agency we are able to offer an individual strategy and marketing approach to suit each client and their preferences with regard to timing, profile and strategy. We are pleased to provide a free market appraisal, or to simply have a confidential conversation as to which approach might be the best for any prospective client.

To speak to Nick, call Aitchisons on 01727 855556.