The Autumn can be an ideal time of year to buy or sell property in the UK. With potentially fewer buyers and sellers actively participating in the market, it can be easier to negotiate favourable terms. However, the season also presents unique challenges that both home buyers and sellers need to consider.

We'll explore the trends of the UK autumn property market, provide tips for buyers and sellers alike, and offer insights to help you navigate a house search during the darker months.

Staging your property

If you’re thinking of selling up and want to get a head start, it’s a good idea to list before the start of December. Decorations and Christmas cards can make your home look more cluttered and smaller than it really is, so it’s worth having pictures taken as early on as you can so you can show it in its best light.

Similarly, you don’t want to be handling renovations and refurbishments during the festive season, or when you have potential buyers booking viewings, so getting any updates you want to make out of the way can be incredibly helpful. This is especially true if you’re planning changes that could improve the value of the property, as you naturally want to put the property on the market at the top price you can.

Staging the property is crucial for helping viewers envision themselves in the space, with their own furniture and décor style. The fewer distractions and personal items dotted around the property, the easier it will be for someone to picture themselves living in the property, and staging can help to create neutral but styled rooms that make the best of your home. Think a few artfully placed scatter cushions or a throw over the back of the sofa; a plain mirror that reflects the light but doesn’t sway too heavily into one interior style or another; a table and chairs that gives viewers inspiration for where seating can go.

Tidying up exterior spaces

By the time autumn rolls around, few of us are spending time in the garden and the hard work of the summer planting has been forgotten about. But this can mean the garden looks a little neglected, so before you list, spend a few hours tidying it up so it enhances the kerb appeal of your home. Mow the lawn, sweep up leaves and trim back dead flower heads and shrubs so the outdoor spaces look as well cared for as the inside.

It's also worth remembering that from November to March, the days are shorter, so you’ll be battling with natural light. If you do list your property in autumn, you can make the most of the last of the lighter days as autumn comes to an end. For exterior shots, November might be the last chance you have if you’re selling towards the end of the year. In December and January, the weather will also be colder and cloudier, which can make your exterior shots look gloomy and shadowed.

Timing tips for autumn buyers

For buyers, now’s the time to strike if you’ve found your perfect home. Waiting to see if a seller drops the price of their listing could mean you miss out on your perfect home. Take the opportunity if you’re lucky enough to find a home you love and enjoy the benefits of a speedier transaction so you can start the new year in a new home.

However, remember not to write off a great home unnecessarily—darker days and poor weather can put a bad spin on an otherwise great property, so remember to look past the weather which can be temperamental at this time of year.

Understanding current market trends

Autumn offers up several positive trends that can go in your favour if you’re looking to make a big property move in the new year. For one, autumn usually offers more stability in terms of property prices compared to the fluctuations you’ll typically see in peak seasons like summer. For sellers, this is great news because it means you won’t need to adjust your listing price to attract buyers. 

There are also fewer properties coming on to the market at this time of year, which not only means fewer properties for buyers to search through but also that buyers are likely to be more willing to meet your asking price rather than haggle. For buyers, the stability in housing prices means you won’t be paying over what the property is worth, which means your budget may stretch a little further.

The natural beauty of autumn can help to enhance the kerb appeal of your property, with the vibrant rusts and oranges of the trees and the cooler weather creating a cosy vibe that can make a home more appealing and homely. Sellers would be wise to leverage this charm by making sure outdoor spaces are well-maintained and interiors are inviting with cosy warm light from lamps.

Lastly, since buyers are motivated to close the deal before the end of the year, property transactions around this time of year tend to be quick. If you’re looking to sell quickly or you’ve already found your dream property and are keen not to lose it, this speed can be a significant benefit.

While it may not be the first season you think of when making a property move, the autumn property market represents great opportunities for buyers and sellers. While the reduced competition can make it more challenging to find your dream home, it also means properties are more likely to be priced fairly and you won’t need to battle with as many other buyers when it comes to putting in an offer. 

For additional expert advice feel free to contact me, Katie Griffin, either by email katie@sawdyeandharris.co.uk or by phone 01364 652652.