This time of year, has a lot going for it: Easter, lots of chocolate, spring flowers, warmer weather, and if you are on the move, April is the best time to sell your home. In fact, March, April, May, and June are the most popular months for making a swift move, with the average home taking less time to sell.

More people move in the spring
More UK property transactions are completed in the spring than at any other time of the year, and it’s a pattern that repeats itself year after year!

For example, in March 2022, the number of property transactions completed in the UK peaked at 111,680; in April, it was 107,100; and in May, the figure stood at 106,860.*

A good year
Conditions were a little bumpy towards the end of last year. The minibudget that caused an air of uncertainty has been replaced by a fresh spring breeze of stability. Sellers and buyers who delayed moving are returning to the market. More sellers mean more choice. Traditionally, the market warms up at this time of year, but with the added element of pent-up demand and a more calm and realistic market, it promises to be a good year.

Strong demand with a stable 2023 market
The average price of property coming to the market rose by just £14 (+0.0%) from January to February to £362,452.** This is a decent and stable figure, and with demand still very strong, the market is now conducting itself in a manner that is healthy and vibrant. However, you no longer need to race to your dream home and offer more than the asking price! If anything, there may be scope for a little negotiation.

Inspiring and beautiful homes
With wildlife coming on strong and flowers sprouting up to witness the longer evenings, spring lends itself well to moving. It’s easier weather for all the practical parts of moving, and homes with all this splendour going on just look better. Many will have enjoyed a good spring cleaning now that winter is over. Home improvements occupied many homeowners during the lockdown, so whether your budget is large or more modest, chances are you are in for inspiring viewings. Outdoor living spaces, work-from-home spaces, and interesting gardens are ripe for your ideas just in time for summer.

Summary: Springtime is the right time!
With so many beautiful homes looking good at this time of year and a buoyant market with some fresh pent-up demand, house prices are no longer rocketing out of control. Warmer, longer days and lighter evenings bring more homeowners out of hibernation, adding vibrancy and more choice to the property market. With no snow or cold to deal with while hopefully finishing in time to enjoy the summer. It’s little wonder that so many homeowners choose spring to move.

Perhaps we are no different from the returning spring wildlife. The season of change ushers us into a changing mood, but the motives, like many other natural laws, are highly practical and advantageous.

Spring your property move into life now!

Browse our available properties, then book a free valuation with one of our expert agents.

 

Office for National Statistics*
Rightmove**

 

Spring is here, and before you know it, it will finally be summer. As each slightly warmer day passes, the property market becomes a little busier, but don’t panic—this is a good thing. If we believed everything we see in the news, you might be forgiven for not wanting to get out of bed, let alone move home.

House prices start to fall, and suddenly the world is about to end! The truth is that the property market is showing signs of resilience, but even more than that, proof of brilliance.

The fresh spring market
Spring is traditionally a great time to sell your home. More buyers get out and about as fresh for sale signs suddenly appear, giving the market momentum. Late last year, the market paused a little longer than usual for Christmas. But even in January, buyer demand looked promising, with the number of people contacting agents up by 11% compared with the same period in 2019. * People who wanted to move earlier are now returning to the market hungry to move, viewing a fresh choice of properties.

Stunning properties
The bar has been raised over lockdown, when many homes were given some very special treatment. This means the choice and standard of homes to choose from are better than ever. From innovative energy-efficient green homes to added features like balconies and glass walls. Neat and compact modern flats are also in vogue. It’s an exciting and interesting period in the property market.

House prices are at the right level
It depends on who you ask; house prices for some homes are not falling, but if they are, don’t worry! When sussing out the state of the property market, it’s important to put things in perspective. The average house price on the market rose by just £14 this month (+0.0%) from January to February to £362,452.* This means the market is stable.

While house price growth fell with prices in February, down by 1.1% compared to February 2022.** This is the first such decrease since June 2020, and it does not take a rocket scientist to fill in the blanks! During the COVID bubble, house prices were hyperinflated, and readjusting the market by letting off a bit of steam gradually couldn’t be more perfect.

It stops the market from boiling over and becoming chaotic, having a calming effect on the market. Not to mention, buying a home is now a bit more pleasant, and bidding wars are thankfully behind us, possibly replaced with a bit of bargaining power.

The housing market is in a good place!
House prices can sometimes not be as important as they seem to be in the news, but they give a good indication of the state of the property market.

Long-term growth
Property goes up in value in the long term. So do not worry about making a long-term investment in the home you want. Analysts predict house prices will ascend again in 2024.

Employment levels
Employment levels are pretty good, with many industries screaming out for more people. This creates consumer confidence when it comes to making a move.

Supply and demand
When all is said and done, there are more people looking for homes than there are houses. It’s simple economics and is the backbone to keeping the value of your home stable.

Browse our properties to see if you can find the home that goes beyond your property expectations!

 

Rightmove*
Nationwide House Price Index**

 

There is no doubt that we live in a wonderful age where pretty much everything we want is at our fingertips, and there is nothing you can’t get delivered to your front door. You can spend night after night scrolling through Rightmove and Zoopla searching for your dream home, and while it’s possible to buy a home completely online, just because you can does not mean you should.

Virtual viewings are an awesome introduction to a property. If you already know the area and you are simply looking for a great flat to let, then perhaps you will never need to carry out a physical viewing. They are a great way to dream and check out all the homes you know you can't afford to buy!

But there is no substitute for the sensory adventure that begins as soon as you see the home you want. It’s the difference between dreams and reality.

Sensory Experience
Yes, buying a new home is a big decision, but it is also an exciting and adventurous feast for all your senses. Entering a property that feels like home is a unique and amazing feeling to savour. There is no substitute for the tactile world of wood and stone and the visual feast that will greet you and witness some of your most precious memories. The scents of the garden, the vision of your new life, the plans for decoration—that special feeling you get that you can't explain yet for some reason you know it’s home.

Valuable experience
Let’s not overlook the obvious. Agents sell homes for a living and are a great ally. Drawing on years of experience to guide you and point out things you may not notice after having absorbed your requirements and desires. It’s a comforting feeling knowing you have an expert on your team.

Do you really want to deal with buyers directly?
Your time is precious, and agents can liaise with buyers for you. It’s also a good thing to have an experienced person dealing with offers from buyers who may make a few cheeky offers!

Checking out the neighbourhood
It’s important to get to know the neighbourhood and surrounding areas. You want to make the right decision and enjoy the peace of mind and fulfilment that come with loving where you live.

Test your agent
A face-to-face viewing or valuation with your agent not only gives you the chance to test out how you feel about certain properties but also to get a thorough valuation. It’s a chance to see your agent in action and become inspired, informed, and gain from their knowledge. A good agent will get on board with your vision for moving and help you achieve your property goals.

Expertise and another pair of eyes
A good estate agent will not try to force a sale during a viewing. After all, it’s your decision.

Simply having another pair of eyes and another perspective and answering all your questions face-to-face while you can walk through the property is more convenient. This will guide you towards making the decision that makes you happy.

Local market knowledge
Your estate agent will have lots of local market knowledge and may already have moved people in and out of your new neighbourhood. So take advantage of this and use it to take the stress out of your decision.

Browse our available properties and allow us to help all your property dreams come true.

 

Don’t worry if you have outgrown hunting for chocolate; spring is a good time to go house hunting as more fresh homes appear on the market. Houses look good at this time of year as nature comes alive again, so getting out and doing a bit of house hunting is nice after being cooped up all winter. You also get to see your potential home in its true light.

Finding your forever home takes time!
You could be lucky and cast eyes upon your forever home instantly, almost like love at first sight. Chances are, even if you fall in love with a home on first viewing, it might not tick all your boxes straight away. After all, forever is a long time.

The market
Right now, the market is in good shape. With the housing market being more stable, there is more choice, reasonable pricing, and a bigger scope for haggling, so now is a good time to pick up a bargain. Call it your forever home, but it does not have to be forever!

Explore
Don’t just go on viewings; explore beautiful and interesting homes with an open mind. Ask your agent as many questions as possible. Get us in on the act. Who knows what we may find for you? After all, we are expert property hunters.

Location
This is huge when considering a potential forever home. Consider the long, short, and medium-term needs of all in the household. From schools, work, and proximity to transport. In a rural location, think about walks, trails, or distance from your interests and hobbies. Don’t forget about life for your furry friends or other pets!

Scope for improvements and exetensions
From the interior to the electrical appliances to the general condition of the building, you must consider things from a long-term perspective. Will you be happy with the aspect of the rooms? Will you want to make major alterations? Perhaps you have a vision of open-plan, eco-friendly living?

Plans for the future
Whether you are planning on relocating, raising your grandchildren, or more, maybe this will be your forever home! Whatever story your home weaves, it’s important to get the details right.

Neighbours
If you don’t get along with the neighbours, forever might not last as long as you think! Take the opportunity to meet them. Have a chat and suss out whether you can see yourself living near them.

Budget
You can be as creative with your budget as you are with your property plans. You’re going to live there for a long time.

And if you are prepared to wait, you can plan the development of your property over many years. The story of your forever home may change as time goes on, such as needing a practical work-from-home space to help pay for the extension in later years!

Get in touch to see how we can help in your search for your forever home.