Is winter the new spring (when it comes to selling)?

Picture the scene: You’re outside, it’s snowing and the temperature has plummeted below freezing.

As you make your way to a house in the distance, you tread carefully over the ice underfoot. Despite your efforts, Jack Frost is still making light work of your fingers and toes.

But as you get closer, you see an amber glow of a roaring coal fire illuminating the windows of the property.

The smell of burning firewood fills your cold, red nose as reach the front garden and as you walk through the door, you are instantly hit with the spicy aroma of freshly-baked gingerbread.

The warmth instantly melts away the chill you carried in. Already, you never want to leave.

With so much to stir the senses, it is easy to see why winter is becoming an increasingly popular time to sell property.

Bob Fraser, Senior Property Partner at Aberdein Considine, said: "Traditionally, it has always been considered that certain times of the year, such as spring, are better for selling properties than others.

"But here at Aberdein Considine we are noticing that the traditional seasonal uplifts in the property market are not as marked as they once were – and that winter can in fact be a very good time to sell your property.

"Buyers do not stop looking for homes to buy just because it is winter. Would you turn down the chance to buy your ideal home just because it was November, December or even January?  No, and there are not many prospective purchasers out there who would.

"Even if the number of transactions does decline at this time of year, prices generally do not. The market does not go to sleep over the winter."

Advantages

There can be distinct advantages to putting your home on the market in winter. For a start, with fewer properties on the market, there is less choice for buyers. This can help your home to stand out from the crowd.

Moreover, as the story shows, some properties look positively inviting in the winter.

Mr Fraser added: "As the nights close in, when lights go on a lot earlier and everyone turns up their heating thermostats, towns and cities seem warm and welcoming places, your home will too. Lights shining from windows and a roaring fire, if you have one, will give a homely feel and a reassuring impression that your home is warm and cosy.

"This is especially true in well established residential locations, particularly those with a high proportion of flats and terraced homes where gardens are a less prominent feature.

"However, if you do decide to sell over Christmas, you must avoid one common mistake - do not have photographs of your home taken with the Christmas decorations up. They look out of date the moment you get to January. If you are thinking of selling, get the photos taken before you decorate your home."

With less competition and buyers very much still out there looking for properties, winter is arguably a much better time to sell than many would expect.

Why wait until springtime, as many sellers will do, and hit the market at the same time as many other properties, thereby increasing dramatically your level of competition?

Steal the march on the competition and look to market your property now.

Scotland's Property Experts

If you are looking to buy, sell or lease property, Aberdein Considine can offer you the support of some of the most experienced property professionals in the country.