Most people are aware that historically, the best time to sell your home is in the spring. Inspiration is in the air, the weather is getting warmer, gardens are beginning to look bright again and many buyers are eager to kick the year off with a new home.
But does this mean you should avoid selling once this spring window has passed?
Absolutely not.
There is Strong Demand
Most people do not begin viewing potential new homes until they have offers relating to their current property. Therefore, selling your home later in the summer is an excellent option if you are part of a longer chain.
Those who have marketed their home in the late spring may find that they cannot attract and accept offers until the middle of summer. Therefore, they will be searching for homes in August.
With a less saturated market at this time of year, it is far more likely they will find your property.
Decreased Competition
Yes, the market is slightly slower in August due to holidays and schools being closed, but that means that your home will potentially face less competition.
Determined buyers will have a smaller selection of homes to choose from, and therefore there is a much greater chance of increased interest and buyers driving up the sale cost.
Progress is Progress
Your home could take longer to sell in the summer months.
Those with children are preoccupied with arranging childcare, and therefore they are slower to book viewings and can often be unreliable. Also, many people choose to holiday during this period, so they are not contactable in the same capacity they usually would be.
However, this does not mean your home will not sell; it simply means it might take a few extra weeks.
Try to embrace the slightly less hectic and more laid back market in the late summer months.
Your Home Photographs Beautifully
The key to a successful house sale is exceptional marketing materials. These marketing materials have three key elements: a beautifully written informative description, a detailed floorplan, and incredible photographs.
Summer provides the best lighting to capture these fantastic images.
Great Weather Incentivises Viewers
The restrictions of the pandemic caused a steep rise in online video viewings in the housing market. These are incredibly beneficial to both buyer and seller, allowing for more flexibility and encouraging quicker sales.
However, most buyers will want to view a home in person before placing a formal offer on the property.
The warmer weather and brighter evenings encourage buyers to make an effort to view your home.
When the autumn begins to creep upon us and the days get substantially shorter, prospective buyers are much less incentivised to make the journey after work to view your property.
Settled for Christmas
The festive period is one of the most cherished in all of our calendars. It’s something we all look forward to, and throughout December, we all spend a tremendous amount of time at home entertaining guests.
Therefore, most prospective buyers who haven’t secured a deal in the summer are eager to complete before the onset of winter.
Marketing your home in August allows for plenty of time to be settled into a new house before the start of the Christmas period.
Top Tips for Selling Your Home in August
Control The Temperature
It’s not often in the UK that we are blessed with scorching hot summers. However, you want your buyers to be as comfortable as possible, taking their time to view your property.
Therefore, if you are lucky enough to show your home on a particularly beautiful day, open the windows wide to let in the fresh air.
Declutter and De-personalise
As with any other time of the year, it is crucial that you thoroughly declutter your home before allowing potential buyers to view it.
However, it is never as important as in the summertime, when viewers expect to see a bright, fresh blank canvas.
Play to Your Strengths
All buyers are going to be interested in your outside space. In the winter months, viewers often overlook the garden, focusing on the cosy environment inside.
So, when showing your home in August, you must get the garden looking immaculate.
Mow the lawn
Remove any dead plants or empty pots
Repaint the fences where necessary
Finally, a great tip is to set out the garden for entertaining, showing just how viewers could use the space. For example, consider staging a BBQ scene complete with a dressed table to show your viewers how great the outside entertaining area is.
Want more tips and advice? We love being able to help! Acres Estate Agents are your local, family owned and run property experts for the Sutton Coldfield and Great Barr areas. Call us on 0121 323 3088 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how we can help you.
Before the election, property experts Rightmove carried out a survey to ascertain what this new government’s priorities should be when it comes to housing. Here is a roundup of what the nation is hoping for.
Speed up housebuilding
One of the top recommendations was making improvements to the housebuilding process1. Buyer demand has increased by 15% since 2019, but the number of available homes has not increased at the same rate. In fact, supply is 6% lower than before the pandemic. The rental market has experienced a similar challenge – tenant demand is 32% higher than 2019 but supply of rented homes is down 38%. As a result, asking prices and rents have increased. To solve this, Rightmove’s property expert Tim Bannister suggests “smoother planning processes to transform the delivery of new homes and produce more affordable housing”.
Help for first-time buyers
Another top priority was providing better support for first-time buyers (FTBs). It is perhaps unsurprising that this was the most popular request from renters, as now is a particularly challenging time to get a foot on the property ladder and the average age of FTBs is increasing2. Rightmove’s mortgage expert, Matt Smith commented,“it’s critical that the government works with regulators and lenders from day one on any mortgage solutions, to ensure buy in and take up, which will in turn create more options for first-time buyers.”
Reform Stamp Duty
Many have called for changes to Stamp Duty1. FTBs in England and Northern Ireland have been exempt from Stamp Duty on homes up to £425,000 since 2022. But this exemption (due to end in April 2025) is not beneficial for most FTBs in the capital, where house prices are higher than the rest of the UK. With this in mind, Tim Bannister reflects, “With such regional differences in property prices, increasing Stamp Duty thresholds in line with these regional differences would seem a logical first step for Stamp Duty reform.”
Make homes greener
Homeowners and renters would like to see the government put some incentives in place to encourage people to make their properties greener. Following Rishi Sunak’s announcement that private rented properties will no longer have to meet the minimum EPC rating of C, many landlords have put their plans to improve energy efficiency on the back burner. Rightmove commented, ‘Homeowners also need better and easier access to schemes that enable them to make green improvements, with the recognition that each home requires different improvements and that currently the upfront costs are a big barrier to change.’
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As the UK settles into the new government, we are here to help you through any changes.
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When considering the factors that influence house prices, schools often emerge as a key player in the equation. The proximity and quality of schools have a significant impact on the desirability of a neighbourhood, which, in turn, affects property values. This blog will delve into the intricate relationship between schools and house prices, exploring how educational institutions can cause a ripple effect that shapes the local property market.
The Educational Ecosystem and Property Values
For families, the quality of education a school provides is a top priority. As parents seek to secure the best possible educational opportunities for their children, they are willing to invest in homes located in areas with reputable schools. Thus, a symbiotic relationship between schools and property values is established. Here’s how it works:
Demand and Attraction: High-performing schools create a surge in demand for homes within their catchment areas. Families often move or relocate to these areas to ensure their children receive a quality education. This increased demand leads to competition among buyers, ultimately driving up property prices. In 2019 PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) reported that on average house prices near a top primary school costs £27,000 more than in a wider area, and £25,000more near the top 10 % of secondary schools. Living close to one of England’s top primary and secondary state schools can add over £25,000 to the price of a house (pwc.co.uk
Resale Value: Homes situated near well-regarded schools tend to hold their value better over time. Even during economic downturns, these properties remain sought after, shielding homeowners from steep value declines. You can monitor house prices by seeing what homes have sold for in your area. Sold House Prices | See UK House Prices Online | Rightmove
Homebuyer Psychology: The mere presence of a renowned school can enhance the perceived desirability of an area. The prestige associated with such institutions contributes to a positive image of the community, further boosting property values. The Department of Education published a report in 2017 which analysed 3 years of house price data and concluded “The value of houses near the poorest- performing schools are also lower than in the surrounding areas. House prices near the 10% best-performing primary schools are 8.0% higher than in the surrounding area.” The report can be found here School performance and house prices: analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Catchment Area Effect
One of the most prominent ways schools influence house prices is through catchment areas. A catchment area refers to the geographical boundary within which a particular school has priority for student enrolment. As the quality of a school improves, homes within its catchment area become particularly attractive to families.
Catchment Area Premium: Properties within a high-performing school’s catchment area often command a premium compared to those outside the boundary. This premium can be substantial and may vary depending on the school’s reputation and the scarcity of available homes.
Competition and Bidding Wars: Limited supply coupled with high demand within a catchment area can lead to bidding wars among prospective buyers. In such scenarios, home prices can skyrocket well above the original listing price.
Investment in Infrastructure
Council investments in school infrastructure can also impact local housing markets. When educational institutions receive funding for improvements, expansions, or modernisation, it not only enhances the learning environment but also contributes to the overall appeal of the surrounding community area.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Modern school buildings, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced technology attract families seeking a contemporary and conducive learning environment for their children. These upgrades can indirectly contribute to a rise in property values.
Local Area Transformation: School improvements often spill over into the community, leading to a positive transformation of the local area. This can include better roads, increased safety measures, and improved public spaces—all of which contribute to heightened desirability and subsequent property value appreciation.
The relationship between schools and house prices is intricate and multifaceted. The quality of education provided by a school and its catchment area can significantly influence the demand for homes and impact property values. As families prioritise access to reputable educational institutions, the housing market responds with increased demand and higher prices. Additionally, investments in school infrastructure can catalyse neighbourhood improvements that further boost property values.
For homeowners and prospective buyers alike, understanding the dynamics between schools and house prices is essential for making informed decisions. As communities continue to evolve, the ripple effect created by schools will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping local housing markets.
Are you planning on selling your house or flat in the UK? Once you’ve accepted an offer and instructed your conveyancer, it’s important for the process to run as smoothly as possible to ensure completion of the deal. With that in mind, leading conveyancing firm AVRillo explains which documents will be essential to ensuring your sale goes to plan…
1. Proof of ID, address and funds
You must pass Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations for the government to allow your estate agent to advertise your property and your lawyer to work on your transaction.
Find a conveyancing lawyer who’ll carry out a single source AML check to avoid having to pass AML twice, once for your estate agent and then later for your lawyer. Find a lawyer who’ll work with your agent so the AML your lawyer carries out for you will be shared on your behalf with your estate agent – this is a single source AML check and will save you time and money by not having to pass twice.
To combat money laundering , passing AML is a legal government requirement for sellers and buyers under the government’s Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. To pass you must produce proof of your identity and address to your estate agents and legal representatives.
Acceptable forms of proof of identity include a valid passport or driving licence. Proof of address can also be demonstrated through a driving licence, bank statement, or utility bill issued within the last three months.
If you’re a buyer, or a seller who’s also buying, you need to provide bank statements and other paperwork showing evidence of how you’ve accumulated your money known as ‘source of wealth’ and evidence showing where that money is kept and being transferred from which is known as ‘source of funds’.
2. HMLR Land Registry title deeds
To sell your house, you must provide evidence of your ownership. This document could be a property register or title deeds which demonstrate you’re the legal owner of the property. The Land Registry is responsible for maintaining property ownership records in the UK and you can obtain an official copy of the register from the Land Registry website or request a physical copy through the mail.
As well as being legal documents that prove your ownership rights to a property, title deeds contain detailed information about the property’s boundaries, ownership history, and any rights or restrictions associated with the property and they need to be provided to the buyer of your property or their solicitor to facilitate the transfer of ownership.
If you’ve lost the title deeds, you can apply for a replacement from the Land Registry. Your lawyer will guide you through the process but some deeds will be harder to obtain than others.
3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a mandatory document required for most residential properties in the UK. It provides an energy efficiency rating and recommendations for improving energy efficiency. An EPC is valid for 10 years and must be provided to potential buyers. To obtain an EPC, you should hire a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor to assess your property and issue the certificate.
You can’t sell your residential property without an EPC as it’s a legal requirement to have one, however there are certain exemptions from obtaining an EPC, such as listed buildings, temporary structures, and places of worship, but it’s recommended to consult a qualified professional to determine if your property qualifies for an exemption.
4. Gas safety certificate
If your property has gas appliances, such as boilers, fires, or cookers, you must provide a gas safety certificate to potential buyers. This certificate verifies that all gas installations and appliances in your property have been inspected and deemed safe by a gas safe registered engineer. The certificate is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually. Buyers will want assurance that the gas installations in the property meet the necessary safety standards, making the gas safety certificate a crucial document in the selling process.
The time it takes to obtain a gas safety certificate depends on the complexity of the gas installations in your property. It’s best to contact a gas safe registered engineer in advance to schedule an inspection.
5. Electrical safety certificate
Ensuring the safety of electrical installations is incredibly important when selling a house. An Electrical Safety Certificate, also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), verifies the safety and compliance of the electrical systems in your property. A qualified electrician issues this certificate after thoroughly inspecting the electrical installations. The Electrical Safety Certificate should be provided to potential buyers, assuring them that the electrical systems in the property are safe and meet the required standards.
6. Planning permissions
If you’ve made alterations or extensions to your property, you must ensure the necessary planning permissions were obtained. Planning permissions are official approvals granted by the local planning authority for specific building works. Buyers will want assurance that any changes made to the property comply with local regulations and have the appropriate permissions in place. Failure to provide the required planning permissions can raise concerns and potentially delay the sale process. It’s essential to consult your local planning authority and obtain the relevant documentation for any modifications made to your property.
If you’ve made alterations without obtaining the necessary planning permission, you may face consequences such as fines or being required to revert the changes. It’s essential to consult your local planning authority to rectify the situation and potentially obtain retrospective planning permission if needed.
7. Building regulation certificates
In addition to planning permissions, building regulation certificates are vital documents that confirm compliance with building regulations for significant alterations or extensions. These certificates are issued by the local authority or an approved inspector after the completion of the building works. Building regulation certificates provide evidence that the construction work meets the required safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency standards. It’s crucial to retain these certificates and provide them to potential buyers as proof of compliance.
8. Guarantees and warranties
It’s essential to provide relevant guarantees and warranties to potential buyers if you’ve made significant renovations or improvements to your property. These documents demonstrate that the work was done by qualified professionals and offer assurances regarding the quality and longevity of the improvements. Examples of guarantees and warranties include that for roofing, damp proofing, double glazing, and central heating systems. These documents provide peace of mind to buyers and enhance the overall value of your property.
9. FENSA
As a homeowner, you must obtain a FENSA certificate from a registered installer when they replace windows or doors on your property. The certificate serves as proof that the installation complies with the building regulations and is in accordance with the energy efficiency, performance standards, and safety regulations.
10. Leasehold documents if you’re selling a leasehold (flat)
The key leasehold documents you should gather and understand to facilitate a faster and more successful sale include:
Lease extension documentation: duration and mortgage considerations:
It’s important to note that many mortgages don’t cover leases with less than 80 years remaining. If your lease falls into this category, it can potentially hinder the sale of your property. If you’ve lived in the property for a minimum of two years, you may consider extending the lease or initiating the extension process.
Lease details and marketing material:
Make sure to locate your lease document. Your estate agent should provide comprehensive information about the property’s tenure in their marketing material including the remaining lease, the term, current ground rent, service charges, and planned increases.
Obtaining the leasehold information pack:
Your conveyancer will contact the freeholder and/or managing agent to obtain the leasehold information pack. It’s crucial not to delay this process as acquiring the pack can take some time. Ensure you buy a management pack from your freeholder managing company as soon as possible. They’ll send you these documents to give to your conveyancer for them to digest, deal with on your behalf and send to the buyer’s conveyancer who needs these to proceed.
Potential buyer concerns:
Prospective buyers will want to understand key lease terms including service charges, ground rent, and administration fees. With this in mind, it’s essential to provide your conveyancer with documents related to the following:
Service charges, such as copies of accounts
Share certificates
Memorandum and articles of association
Buildings insurance
Recent correspondence from the freeholder or managing agent
Planned works and assessments scheduled for the property such as roof replacements
Fire risk assessments
Asbestos reports
Estate rent charges
Building Safety Act issues including cladding and other safety legislation
11. New build warranties
For new builds or properties under 10 years old, you must have a copy of your Buildmark (NHBC) or other new home policy/warranty documents. These documents provide essential protection and peace of mind to homeowners, ensuring that any potential issues or defects with the property are addressed and covered by the warranty.
Buildmark is a widely recognised and trusted warranty provided by the National House Building Council (NHBC) in the UK. It offers protection against various structural defects that may arise within the first 10 years of owning a new build property. This includes defects in the foundation, roof, walls, windows, and other crucial structural elements. A Buildmark warranty or an equivalent new home policy/warranty document is highly beneficial and provides homeowners with financial protection and support in case of unexpected repairs or remedial work needed due to structural defects. In addition to structural defects, new home warranties often cover other aspects such as plumbing, electrical systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It’s essential to carefully review the specific terms and coverage your warranty document provides as warranties typically have specific guidelines and procedures for making claims and obtaining necessary repairs.
Your Buildmark or other new home policy/warranty documents show potential buyers that your property is protected and that any unforeseen issues will be addressed which can enhance the marketability of your property.
12. Mortgage statement
If you have an outstanding mortgage on your property, you must obtain a mortgage statement from your mortgage provider. This document outlines the outstanding balance, payment schedule, and any other relevant mortgage details. It’s a requirement from the buyer’s conveyancers to ensure they can pay off the mortgage and leave the property legal charge free. No financial obligations are impending on the seller’s title at completion. It’s therefore essential to inform your mortgage provider about your intention to sell and obtain an updated statement reflecting the current status of your mortgage.
13. Other upfront material information
Government guidance defines material facts as things which may have a major impact on whether a buyer decides to purchase your home. For example, if it regularly floods or is of non-standard construction. Estate agents are legally required to share this information with potential buyers.
You’ll also be asked for any non-optional financial commitments such as council tax, leasehold charges and rent charge costs if your property is on a new build estate.
Government guidance for selling a house also suggests you should provide any Part Wall Agreements which are needed when carrying out any building work near or on a party wall shared with a neighbour which can impact the structure and boundary wall with your neighbour. Restrictive covenants are binding conditions written into a property’s deeds or contract by a seller to determine what a homeowner can or can’t do with their house or land under particular circumstances.
While you want to present your home in the best possible light, you shouldn’t mislead potential buyers by covering up defects, for example, by painting over damp patches. Any problems are likely to come up in the buyer’s survey. This could lead to price negotiations and possible delays which could’ve been avoided.
The more material information and documentation you can provide up-front to your solicitor, the better. You can then get their advice on what needs to be passed on to the buyer. This will reduce the risk of avoidable delays, costs and buyers pulling out when information materialises later.
Content provided by OnTheMarket.com is for information purposes only. Independent and professional advice should be taken before buying, selling, letting or renting property, or buying financial products.
Did you know that Spring tends to be the best time to sell a property? It’s true – the Spring months of March to May are arguably the best and most consistent months for property sales year in, year out. Whether you’re an investor or homeowner looking to sell your property, here are the top five reasons why SPRING is the best time of year to get your property on the market and ready to sell.
1. High level of demand and need for supply
The warmer Spring months with lighter, brighter days tend to be more appealing for property hunting than the heat of the Summer or the freezing cold of the Winter. With an increase in demand for properties, it makes sense for sellers to take advantage of the selling opportunities and put a property on the market.
2. It’s the season of new beginnings
Spring is typically a season associated with new beginnings – you’ll see new buds appearing on trees, new flowers emerging from ground and new life in nature – and this feeling of newness seems to flow through to the property market too. It’s a time when people begin to think about new possibilities and make plans for the rest of the year, such as buying a new property and moving house.
3. Spring weather boosts kerb appeal
The lighter, brighter days of spring can significantly help to boost the kerb appeal of properties. The days tend not to be as dark and dreary as they can be during the heart of winter (bar the occasional weather decline!) and better natural light helps improve the exterior view of properties. For example, it can bring out the natural colour of stone or bricks or make architectural features look better.
Even if you don’t have a property with a garden, there’s likely to be trees coming into bloom or flowers blossoming in your neighbourhood, which can reflect positively on your property too. If you have an apartment with a balcony, a few pots of pretty Spring flowers could brighten up the outdoor space and add an inviting appeal.
4.Spring light aids interior photography
In the same way that improved natural light aids exterior kerb appeal, so too will it help aid the interior photography of your property. Good photos are a key element of successfully selling your property and it definitely makes a difference when there’s better natural light in which to take them. They’ll be less time-consuming editing involved to get them up to scratch and, in theory, it could be quicker for your agent to get your property listed.
5. It’s better weather for moving
On a practical note, for those that are thinking of moving, Spring is a more appealing time to do so. The weather tends to be better than during the Winter and you’re not yet thwarted by the energy-zapping heat that Summer can bring. Plus, for families with children, it’s likely to be an easier time of year to move, whilst they’re still at school and so they can be settled in a new home before a new school year starts in September.
If you’re thinking of selling your property to take advantage of the Spring boost in sales, don’t forget to get your property looking its best first. A good spring clean can freshen up your interior and a quick lick of fresh paint on your front door can make the world of difference and improve the look and feel of your property – those first impressions really count! Contact us today to get your property on the market now
