Hey hey hey
Ba de ya, say do you remember
Ba de ya, dancing in September
Ba de ya, never was a cloudy day
What a way to welcome in the beautiful month of September than starting with a short karaoke session with Earth Wind and Fire's iconic hit of September?! If you have been singing the wrong words for a few decades, you're not alone on that one...
September is the exciting month when we expect our long-awaited Indian Summer to arrive, we send our children back to where they belong after the most expensive six agonising weeks of our lives and we start the countdown to all things festive and fun.
In the world of property, the lifestyle of the public influences the market trends and so, September is also an exciting month for us estate agents. Although Spring is often considered as the best time to sell, putting your house on the market in the Autumn has some unique benefits. See, there is a science to being a successful estate agent, you know?! It's not all about property, but also a little bit of psychology too, understanding our audience helps us to sell your home.
Here are our top 5 reasons as to why September is a great time to sell your home!
1. The 'C' Word
Apologies in advance, we are going to be talking about Christmas in September, but only because it has a HUGE influence on the property market and let's face it, it's basically been winter all year anyway. With the start of the new school year, September feels like a fresh start for many and with the kids settled back into the routine of things, people start to look for homes so they can be moved in just in time for dun dun dunnnn...Christmas!
Because Christmas is seen as a deadline, you will find that people are keen to make quick decisions and are motivated to progress the sale on their side as quickly as possible.
2. The Indoor Season
With the darker nights and colder days, people spend much more time inside their homes than what they do in summer. This changes the lifestyle and perspective of homeowners, which influences their decision in what they want from their home.
Simple things such as the lack of daylight can create the illusion of a smaller space and trigger the need to upsize. The solitude of winter can also create a need for open-plan living space that can accommodate more family and friends in the one space.
Perhaps your home offers exactly what buyers want?
3. School Admission Dates
Many primary schools close applications for school admissions in January and if you're not already aware, parents take this very seriously. Hello, morning-long feature on Good Morning Britain including tense opening of acceptance letters live on air.
With catchment areas limiting the intake of students, many parents are known to move home to ensure that they are securely positioned well within the catchment area of their desired school. If you know you're house is located near schools, then this is a great opportunity to get your house on the market and in front of the audience crying out for properties like yours.
A good estate agent will ensure that this selling point is highlighted on the listing on your home, catching the attention of all those parents looking for their next family home.
4. The Beauty of Autumn
Ahh Summer, a time of sunshine, greenery, sandy beaches and beautiful views...in every part of the world except the UK. Autumn, on the other hand, may not be the hottest season of the year, but it is the most beautiful with its warm and inviting colours, cosy fires and exciting atmosphere of the festivities that lie ahead.
Outside, Autumn's beauty offers the perfect backdrop to market your home whilst inside, setting the scene with a roaring fire, seasonal fruit in the kitchen and warm blankets on beds will create an irresistible homely and cosy charm. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words, let you autumnal home do the talking.
When it comes to viewings, all these small touches can really help to sell a vision to potential buyers, you want to make it as easy and as enticing as possible to see themselves living there.
5. Less Competition
With such emphasis on selling in spring and with the impending festivities, many people choose to delay putting their house on the market during the autumn and winter months. This means that there's less competition for sellers which is great news for you!
Even if you put your home on the market in September and don't receive any concrete offers, do not worry; whether it's the excessive amount of time spent with family or the excessive time spent with food, Rightmove's most popular day for website hits is Boxing Day!