According to analysis from Rightmove, which looked at properties listed for sale since 2012 – barring 2020 for the pandemic – around 66% of properties put on the market in February and March go on to sell.
December was bottom of the list, with 61.7% of properties listed for sale at that time successfully completing a sale.
February also had the joint-quickest average time to find a buyer historically, at 51 days – tied with January. This was followed by March and April, both at 52 days.
October and November had the longest average number of days to find a buyer, at 61.
| Month | Average percentage of homes that successfully complete a sale | Average number of days to find a buyer |
| January | 66.1% | 51 |
| February | 66.3% | 51 |
| March | 66.3% | 52 |
| April | 66.1% | 52 |
| May | 65.4% | 54 |
| June | 64.4% | 56 |
| July | 63.8% | 57 |
| August | 64% | 58 |
| September | 63% | 59 |
| October | 62.4% | 61 |
| November | 62.2% | 61 |
| December | 61.7% | 59 |
The firm said it had been an “encouraging start to the year for buyer activity”, which is “positive” for sellers thinking of coming to the market.
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The number of potential buyers contacting agents about homes for sale was up 8% compared with the same period last year, and the number of sales being agreed had risen by 15% year-on-year.
Steve Pimblett, chief data officer at Rightmove, said: “These insights should make for encouraging reading for anyone thinking of listing their home for sale soon, as well as anyone who has already come to market this year.
“The spring selling season is traditionally one of the busiest periods of the year for agents, and the signs of buyer activity we’ve been seeing are setting the scene for a positive one this year.”
Ben Hudson, managing director at Hudson Moody in York, said: “To give yourself the best chance of a successful sale, it’s really important to present your home at its best. It may sound obvious, but clean up, de-clutter and make sure any obvious defects are put right before the photos are taken and viewers start coming round.
“Kerb appeal is very important, as when people arrive to view your property, and walk past it on the street or drive past it in a car, they will form some kind of impression of your home. The more attractive you can make it look on the outside, the more likely people are to want to come inside.”
He continued: “Small touches like tidying up the front garden and mowing the lawn can send out the message that your home is easy to maintain and well-kept, which will delight some buyers who might not have the time to spend on household chores.
“The obvious things such as putting on lights to show the house well, putting the heating on, and making sure it smells fresh and clean [are] also important for comfortable viewings, leaving potential buyers with the right impression.”
