What is the Best Time of Year to Sell a House? Experts’ Guide 2025

Is this a good time to sell a house? This question is often asked by homeowners when they are considering selling their home. A straightforward answer is challenging, as the best time to sell house is influenced by market trends, buyer demand, and seasonal factors. The Professional Estate agents provide an easy-to-follow guideline on the selling timeline based on market trends.

When Is The Best Time to Sell House

Spring and early autumn are traditionally the best times to sell. Spring brings blooming gardens, more daylight, and active buyers aiming to move before summer, maximising your home’s appeal and the buyer pool. The year 2025 brought the largest volume of houses on the market in the spring season, as compared to the last ten years.

• Considering the timeline when selling your property is essential because it directly impacts buyers’ interests, sales trends, and the price of the property.
• How quickly a property can be sold is significantly dependent on the seasons, economic demand, and supply throughout the year.

If you are planning to sell a house in early 2026, then understanding the timeline is crucial for high profit gains. Let’s see how these timelines are most suitable for selling properties.

What Is The Peak Season To Sell a House?

The property market in the UK experiences seasonal fluctuations, with some periods attracting buyers and better prices than others. Seasonal effects on buyer behaviour, competition, and property appeal help you to list a property strategically.

Spring (March to May)

The peak time to sell a house in the UK is generally considered to be the Spring Season. According to the data of the House Price Index for April 2025, the asking prices for houses increased by 1.4% with sales showing 6% growth compared to the Spring activities a year ago.

1. Spring is considered to be the prime time to sell because of the high demand and more buyers just after Winter.
2. Spring is a blooming season and has longer days, which makes it more appealing to investors to buy property.
3. People are not busy with Christmas preparations, and buyers generally want to move in before summer vacations start.

Drawbacks:

• Spring is the hottest month for selling, which means more properties are on the market list at the very same time. The high competition in the market makes it difficult to stand out.
• Buyers have high expectations for home presentation in spring, which requires time and costs for the seller. 

Summer (June to August)

Summer can also be  appealing to buyers for many reasons:

1. People tend to move generally before the new school year starts. So, listing your house in early summer can be advantageous to sell property in the UK.
2. The Last Friday of August is the peak moving day because the weather is suitable for moving. So the month of August is not for selling.

Drawbacks

• The market slows, and moving can be stressful as people often go out to enjoy their holidays, and viewing can also be delayed.
• Holidays can directly affect the number of active buyers.
• The hot, rainy season may make it challenging to view properties while keeping them appealing.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is the second-best time to sell houses in the UK. 

1. After spring, autumn is another favourable time to sell the house because people try to get settled into a new home for school admissions and before Christmas. 
2. This period is beneficial for selling because the high supply and demand offer competitive prices for properties. 

Drawbacks

• The main drawback to listing your house in the autumn season is its shorter days and unpredictable weather, which can negatively affect the property‘s presentation.
• As gardens shed their leaves and blooms fade, the viewing of the listed properties can be affected.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is generally not the best time to sell a house, especially due to the Christmas season.

1. Buyers are often preoccupied with the Christmas holidays, which results in lower market activity.
2. There are significantly fewer viewings of the property in early winter. The cold and humid weather, and less daylight decrease the appeal of the property to the viewers.
3. Kerb appeal is very important in attracting buyers, but in extreme cold conditions, renovation of the house becomes difficult. 

Exceptions

1. Winter may prove to be a good time to sell your house, as a few serious buyers may hunt for property for genuine purchases.
2. Since it is the off-season for listing the property, the competition in the market is less, so your property can stand out to buyers.

What Are The Best Months To Sell Your House?

Beyond the peak season to list your property for sale, the specific months are also considered for the best time to sell houses in the UK.

February and March

According to the latest market trends in 2025, February and March proved to be the best months of the year to sell houses. 

• Nearly 7 out of 10 homes have gone out to complete with a highest 66.3% success rate recorded in February and March. 
• Homes listed in these months find buyers more quickly, taking about 51 days to sell if you market the property in the first month of the year. 
• March is considered the peak season to sell houses in the UK because of the surge in buyer demand and high supply.

April and May

April and May are considered among the best times of the year to sell houses, with the highest concentration of serious buyers.  

• According to the secondary market intelligence resources, the buyers’ search volume increases by 150% to 160% in these months. Mostly, the second-time buyers take an interest in these months to buy the property.
• Properties typically sell in an average of 55 days because these months offer unbeatable kerb appeal to the buyers. 
• The Bank of England mortgage approval statistics show that lenders process applications efficiently during these months, reaching strong levels.
• The bright daylight and optimal weather conditions increase the external presentation beauty of the property.

September

As Autumn is the best time of the year to sell houses, the month of September is considered the peak time after March to sell your property.  September sees a 9% surge in new listings compared to August in 2025. 

• Post-summer, September is the best month to sell a house in the UK. The highly motivated buyers return this month because they want to move in before Christmas.
• This month of the year is ideal for families who need to find a home in urgency for new school admissions.
• Autumn has less competition than Spring, which means your house may stand out in the market.

Types of Properties and Selling Timeline

Different types of properties attract different types of buyers. So, keeping in mind your housing type (flats, homes or bungalows) and buyers’ interest enables you to list your property at the most favourable time. The table presents the property type vs their target buyers’ timeline summary:

Supply and Demand Impacts on Selling Timeline

The UK market has shown mixed trends in property this year. Understanding the time of the supply and demand of the property in the market, you can enhance your sales margin.

• The housing market of the UK shows 8% increase in buyer demand as compared to the last year. According to the ONS (Office for National Statistics, UK), the house price index states that the average home prices in the UK have risen by 6.4% in March 2025 versus March 2024.
• There is an increasing number of sales in the year 2025 has increased to 3% as compared to the same period in 2024.

The best time to sell property in a specific area is heavily influenced by local market dynamics, including both demand and supply. Consider working with a local property management company to navigate the complex market trends in the UK.

Expert Tips For Selling a House Anytime

You missed the traditional market season, and are thinking, Is now a good time to sell my house? Then, consider these expert tips to attract genuine buyers to your property.

Off-Season Work for You

Listing your house in the off-market season means there is less competition from potential sellers. During the season, your property may be overlooked due to market saturation. Serious buyers will have fewer alternatives, and off-season marketing makes your property stand out.

Stand Out by Dressing Your Home

Presentation of the house is key, which allows you to stand out in the off-season of summer if you have a good ventilation system and outdoor space in your home. An effective heating system, insulation, and a fireplace make your home appealing in the Winter.

Conclusion

The UK property market has shown promising growth in Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). Looking ahead to 2026, market analysts forecast about 3-5% price growth in property prices. As mortgage rates are expected to decline next year, buyers’ demand would rise, leading to more competition for homes in the first peak season.

First-time buyers are expected to remain active in 2026. Remember that ultimately, the best time to sell a house is when it aligns with your personal and financial goals, not when only the market peaks.

Frequently Asked Questions