James Greenwood, MD of Stacks Property Search says, “Christmas is a good time to be a buyer. Vendors who have been trying to sell since September are beginning to get frustrated and won’t be wanting to wait for the spring market. You are in a strong negotiating position at this time of year.”
So here are Stacks Property Search’s top tips for making the most of Christmas.
Spring scramble
Ed Jephson says, “There’s going to be a spring scramble. The interest rate wait is over, they’re unlikely to be coming down at speed; we have pent up demand, but there’s a widespread expectation that there will be plenty of new stock come January. So all the signs point to a busy year for the property market. Buyers and sellers are going to have to be on their game, so get ready!”
Get ahead
Sharon Barnard says, “If you’re a cash buyer, call any agents you know and ask them if they have anything coming onto the market in January that you can see before the new year. Lots of agents are reluctant to launch new properties at this time of year, but will be happy to tell you about new stock coming on. This will give you a head start on the January rush.
Follow up….
Sara Ransom says, “The London market has been strong with good properties going to sealed bids. If you’ve missed out on a property, it’s worth ringing round the agents you had been dealing with to see if any of the properties you spotted earlier in the year have come back onto the market. There are lots of reasons sales may have fallen through.
Viewing in winter
Anto Clay says, “It takes a resolute buyer to view properties in the middle of the winter. Properties don’t look their best, gardens are bare; there are no leaves to block the view of the scrap yard, or to muffle the sound of the main road. Condensation may be streaming down the windows. It may not be an attractive time to view, but it’s a safe time of year to see property – warts and all. If you like it now, you’ll love it in May. But in the meantime, your head will be firmly in charge and your heart won’t get a look in.”
Nick Wooldridge says, “Once inside, ask the agent or vendor to turn out all the lights (they will have been instructed to turn them all on!) so you can establish how much natural light the property gets. And check whether the heating’s turned up to the max – it may feel warm and cosy, but at what cost?”
Don’t be deterred by the weather
Louise Ridings agrees. She says, “Choose your viewing time wisely, factoring in the limited daylight hours you have available to you. There’s little point viewing a property in the dark.
Rachel Johnston says, “Take warm clothes – you don’t want the cold and wet to prevent you from having a really good look outside, not just at the garden, the surroundings and the view, but at the fabric of the property itself. Without the benefit of the sun, you’ll need a compass to establish the aspect, and check what trees and buildings will obscure the sun at various zeniths when it reappears next spring.”
Boring but important
Clare Coode says, “You’ll struggle to get viewings on family properties over the holidays; vendors want to get the kids back to school before they start thinking about normal life. But that doesn’t mean you have nothing to do. Make sure you’ve got your AML (Anti money laundering) documentation, mortgage offer, and solicitor lined up; sellers won’t take property off the market, however good the offer, till you can produce all those documents.”
Quick deals
Bill Spreckley says, “If a development is coming to the end of its sales, you may be able to get an attractive deal on a last remaining unit as the developer looks to get things wrapped up before the end of the year.”
Don’t let it ruin your Christmas
Nick Cunningham says, “If you’ve already found a property, and had an offer accepted, push as hard as you can in the last few weeks of the year to get things moving, but don’t get too stressed if things slow down over the festivities. Everyone stops for at least a week or ten days, and the administrative process slows down for even longer. Stay on top of everything that you’ve got to do, but don’t let it ruin your Christmas.
Get organised
Amanda Ake says, “If you’re a seller as well as a buyer, use the Christmas lull to clear, de-clutter, sign the contract papers, property information forms, and find all the necessary documentation, so you’re ready to be up and running come January.”
Armchair research
Gillie Pearce says, “The Christmas holidays are a great time to research; there’s lots that can be done online, but take the opportunity to visit the areas you’re considering and get a feel for them when they’re in holiday mode.”
Be decisive
Charlie Rearden says, “We’re entering a period of relative stability compared with months and years of uncertainty. 2025 is expected to be a busy year; buyers shouldn’t expect all the balls to be in their court. Be ready to be active and decisive as soon as the holidays are over. Anything that hasn’t been clarified between family members can be ironed out while you’re all in the same space without the distraction of work and education.”
Be informed
James Law says, “The new year will see a much more active market. Quick decisions may be needed, but to make a quick decision buyers need to be well informed and certain about their motivations, their plans and their finances. Now is the time to get organised.”
Call: +44 (0) 1594 842880
Email: info@stacks.co.uk
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