February has emerged as the golden month for property sales. According to the latest analysis from Rightmove, homes listed in February not only find buyers faster but also stand the highest chance of being marked ‘sold subject to contract’.
The statistics speak for themselves. Homes that hit the market in February take an average of just 51 days to secure a buyer. That’s lightning-fast, beating even March’s average of 52 days and tying with January. But it’s not just about speed – February also boasts a remarkable success rate. An impressive 66.4% of homes listed during this month go on to find a buyer, sharing the top spot with April and just edging out March’s 66.3%.
Spring Awakening
For those who miss the February window, fret not – March isn’t far behind in effectiveness. Historically, it’s a strong month for sellers, making the onset of spring a bustling period for the real estate market. It’s a time when many are eager to list their homes, drawing in a surge of buyer interest.
2024, A Year of Increased Activity
This year, the property market is buzzing more than ever. Compared to last year, there’s been an 8% increase in buyers reaching out to agents about homes for sale. Moreover, sellers are more active too, with an 11% rise in new properties being listed. This uptick in activity signifies a robust market, ripe with opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
Expert Insights
Tim Bannister from Rightmove offers some sage advice, “The best time to get moving is the time that’s right for you – we can’t always plan or predict when a life move is needed. However, for those who are able to be a bit more flexible about when they decide to sell, the data shows typically the start of the year has been particularly strong. It’s also when we’ve historically seen the most buyers sending enquiries to agents, so it’s a great time for those looking to sell to make sure they are listed, their marketing is strong and they’re pricing attractively enough against other sellers”