Is it a Good Time to Sell a House? Spring & Summer 2025
Deciding when to sell your house can impact the price you achieve and how quickly you find a buyer. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, certain times of the year and market conditions tend to favour sellers.
This guide will help you understand the seasonal trends that can influence the housing market, key market indicators to watch, and specifically, our expert analysis of whether Spring/Summer 2025 presents a good opportunity for sellers. We’ll also cover what you can do to make your house more attractive to buyers, regardless of the time of year.
Is now a good time to sell a house? Spring/Summer 2025
The England & Wales housing market presents a generally favourable landscape for sellers. Our analysis suggests that, although conditions are dynamic, opportunities exist for those seeking to sell.
Market Overview
The market in Spring 2025 has seen a seasonal uplift in activity, buoyed by improving weather and renewed buyer confidence following the recent base rate interest cuts.
According to Rightmove's House Price Index for April 2025, average asking prices saw a 1.4% monthly increase, reaching a record high of £377,182.
This notable rise occurred even as the number of homes on the market reached its highest level in a decade, suggesting robust buyer demand across much of the country.
Zoopla corroborates this trend, reporting a 1.6% annual increase in average UK house prices (sold) to £268,000 as of March 2025.
This increased activity is not just in asking prices; sales volume agreed are also up. Zoopla's May 2025 data indicated a 6% growth in sales agreed compared to a year ago, driven by improving mortgage affordability and competitive deals entering the market.
While supply has expanded (13% more homes for sale than a year ago, according to Zoopla), demand has largely kept pace, preventing significant price corrections.
Looking ahead to Summer 2025, the consensus among institutions points towards stability. Affordability remains key for many buyers, but the market has evolved into a state where neither buyers nor sellers have a dominant advantage. This means that more realistic pricing and negotiation strategies come to the forefront.
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Seasonal Trends: When is the best time to sell a house?
While the overall market conditions are crucial, the time of year you choose to list your property can also play a significant role in attracting buyers and achieving your desired price. Each season brings its own set of advantages and challenges for sellers.
Selling in Summer (June, July, August)
Summer can maintain some of spring's momentum, but it also introduces new dynamics.
- Continued Momentum: The early part of summer can still benefit from the tail-end of spring's activity, with longer daylight hours continuing to facilitate viewings.
- Holiday Dip: Buyer activity can often dip from mid-July through August as many families and individuals go on holiday. This can lead to fewer viewings and slower offers.
- Serious Buyers: While overall numbers might be lower, buyers actively looking during the peak holiday season are often very serious and highly motivated.
Key market factors to watch when selling a house
Beyond seasonal fluctuations, broader economic and housing market trends significantly influence selling conditions.
Key Factor | Cause & Effect |
Interest Rates and Mortgage Availability | Changes in the Bank of England's base rate directly impact mortgage rates. Lower interest rates generally make mortgages more affordable, increasing buyer demand and potentially house prices. Conversely, higher rates can dampen demand. Monitor the availability of competitive mortgage products, as this indicates lender confidence and borrower capacity. |
Inflation and Cost of Living | High inflation erodes purchasing power, which can impact buyer confidence and their ability to save for deposits or afford mortgage payments. A stable or falling inflation rate typically signals a healthier economic environment for property transactions. |
Supply and Demand | This is a fundamental market driver. If there are many buyers but few properties for sale (low supply, high demand), prices tend to rise. If there are many properties for sale but fewer buyers (high supply, low demand), prices may fall. Regularly check local property portals (like Rightmove and Zoopla) for trends in new listings versus properties going under offer. |
House Price Indices | Regularly published data from sources like Nationwide, Halifax, ONS, and Rightmove provide insights into average house price movements at national and regional levels. While these are historical, they indicate momentum and overall market health. |
Economic Stability and Consumer Confidence | A strong, stable economy generally leads to higher employment rates and greater consumer confidence, encouraging people to make large financial commitments like buying a home. Economic uncertainty can lead to caution and a slowdown in the market. |
Government Policies and Incentives | Changes in Stamp Duty Land Tax, Help to Buy schemes, or other housing-related government initiatives can impact buyer behaviour and market activity. Stay informed about any new policies that might affect property transactions. |
Making your house more attractive to buyers (regardless of season)
While external market factors and seasonal trends are beyond your control, there’s plenty you can do to make your property stand out and appeal to a wider range of buyers, regardless of when you decide to sell:
Decision | Reasoning |
Boost Kerb Appeal | First impressions count; ensure the front of your house is inviting and boost its kerb appeal. This includes a tidy garden, a clean front door, sparkling windows, and clear pathways. Small touches like potted plants can make a big difference. |
Declutter and Depersonalise | Help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. Remove excessive personal items, family photos, and clutter. This makes rooms feel larger, cleaner, and allows buyers to project their own lives onto the property. |
Deep Clean | A sparkling clean home suggests it has been well-maintained. Pay attention to often-overlooked areas like grout, skirting boards, and inside cupboards. Fresh scents (not overpowering air fresheners) can also enhance the perception of cleanliness. |
Address Minor Repairs | Fix any leaky taps, cracked tiles, sticky doors, or peeling paint. Buyers often mentally tally up repair costs, and addressing small issues proactively can prevent them from becoming negotiation points. |
Optimise Lighting | Ensure every room is well-lit, especially for evening viewings or during darker seasons. Open curtains, clean windows, and use appropriate lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. |
Neutral Décor | While personal taste varies, neutral colours on walls can make rooms feel larger and more adaptable, allowing buyers to see their furniture and style fitting in easily. |
Define Spaces | If you have open-plan areas, ensure each zone (living, dining, working) is clearly defined to show functionality. For smaller rooms, thoughtful furniture arrangement can highlight their potential. |
Stage Key Rooms | For critical spaces like the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen, consider professional staging or arrange furniture to highlight their best features and maximise perceived space. |
Should I wait until September to list my property on the market?
The simple answer is: no! Based on data from the past five years, the summer and autumn months are still strong for sales completions.
Some of our clients ask if they've missed the 'spring rush' and whether they should wait until Summer is over to list their home on the market. Conventional advice, even from ourselves, is that certain times of the year can be "better" for selling a property.
However, looking at the actual sales volumes from the last five years tells a compelling story that challenges traditional thinking. As the graph below illustrates, data consistently shows (apart from anomalies in 2020 and 2021 due to lockdowns) that the spring, summer, and autumn months were still relatively strong for sales volume after the usual March spike.
This trend runs counter to the notion that sellers must adhere to specific seasonal windows to achieve a successful sale. Our analysis indicates that, for the right property, opportunities exist throughout much of the year.
Rather than waiting for an 'ideal' time, you can often make the decision to list your home based on your personal circumstances, knowing that recent market activity supports strong sales across multiple seasons.
For the most current, local data and trends specific to your area, we recommend using the Land Registry's up-to-date statistics.
Summary
While Spring and early Summer often bring increased buyer activity and a more favourable market, a strategic approach can yield success at any time of year.
Monitoring interest rates, supply and demand, and house price indices provides essential context. Ultimately, enhancing your property's appeal through effective staging, decluttering, and addressing minor repairs will empower you to attract serious buyers, regardless of the calendar.
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