Is there still time to move before Christmas?

It happens every autumn. September disappears surprisingly quickly, October arrives, and homeowners who have been thinking about moving suddenly start wondering whether they’ve left it too late to be in their next home by Christmas.

If you haven’t yet put your property on the market, completing an entire sale and purchase before Christmas could now be challenging. That doesn’t mean you should write off moving altogether, though. In fact, there is an important difference between needing to complete before Christmas and wanting to make meaningful progress with your move before Christmas.

Understanding the typical timescales involved can help you set realistic expectations.

Rightmove’s current guidance indicates that finding a buyer is taking just over two months on average nationally, at around 66 days. Once a sale is agreed, the legal, mortgage and conveyancing process can add several more months, with Rightmove putting the average sold-subject-to-contract to completion period at around five months.

Of course, averages don’t tell the story of every transaction. A chain-free property being purchased by a buyer who already has their mortgage agreed could move much faster, while a long chain involving several buyers and sellers can take considerably longer. Surveys, searches, mortgage valuations, legal enquiries and delays elsewhere in the chain can all affect the eventual completion date.

So, if you are only beginning the selling process in October, it would be sensible not to make a pre-Christmas completion essential. However, that doesn’t mean October is too late to sell.

A better question to ask

Rather than asking, “Can I definitely be moved by Christmas?”, homeowners may find it more useful to ask, “How far could I get with my move before Christmas?”

You could have your property valued and photographed, launch onto the market, conduct viewings and potentially secure a buyer during the autumn. Even if the transaction itself completes in the New Year, entering January with a sale already agreed puts you in a very different position from someone who hasn’t yet started.

There are also signs of renewed activity as we enter the traditional autumn market. Rightmove recorded a 0.7% monthly increase in new seller asking prices in September, the first monthly increase since May. Meanwhile, Zoopla reported that searches for homes were running 7% higher than a year earlier.

In other words, people are looking at property this autumn. However, sellers need to be conscious that those buyers have plenty of choice. Zoopla reports that the number of homes available for sale is around 5% higher than a year ago, which means buyers may be comparing several suitable properties rather than waiting for something — anything — to become available.

Pricing can make a significant difference

In a market where buyers have more choice, getting the asking price right from the beginning becomes particularly important. An overly ambitious launch price can result in valuable weeks being lost before a reduction is eventually made, whereas a well-positioned property can generate stronger interest while it is still fresh to the market. Presentation matters too. Good photography, tidy rooms, completed minor repairs and making the home easy to view can all help give buyers confidence.

Sellers can also save time behind the scenes by instructing a conveyancer early and gathering documents connected to the property before a buyer is found. If you’re purchasing another home, understanding your mortgage position and budget beforehand can help you act more confidently when the right property appears.

Should you just wait until January?

Not necessarily. January is traditionally associated with people making fresh plans, but waiting until then means you’ll also be starting the process from the beginning.

If you secure a buyer during October or November, legal work could already be progressing by the time the New Year arrives. Alternatively, simply preparing your home, understanding its value and deciding what you want from your onward move can put you in a stronger position.

Christmas is a useful milestone, but it doesn’t have to become an artificial deadline. A successful move is ultimately about achieving the right result rather than rushing a transaction simply to complete before 25 December.

If you’re considering a move soon, complete the contact form and one of our team will arrange a no-obligation property valuation to help you understand your position and plan your next steps.