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As temperatures drop and nights draw in, the prospect of moving home tends to become less appealing.
Winter usually brings a slower property market, with sellers waiting until the spring to list their homes.
But could this year be different? With changes to stamp duty coming next April, we could see a spike in property transactions over the next few months.
Read on to find out about the potential impact of the upcoming tax changes, and for advice on selling your home more quickly.
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Data from HMRC shows summer and autumn are traditionally the busiest times for property sales, with a drop over the winter months.
In 2023, 17% fewer homes sold in the winter than in the summer, as shown in this chart.
Figures from the property portal Rightmove support this. It says the number of homes listed by agents dropped last winter, before increasing during the spring.
Of course, this doesn't mean nobody moves during the winter months, and many prospective homebuyers use the Christmas period to plan out their next move.
The buying agent Henry Prior says: ‘Some of the best deals I’ve done were in the winter. Rightmove’s busiest day for traffic is Boxing Day, and understandably so.’
The upcoming end to stamp duty relief could jolt the property market from its traditional winter slumber.
From 1 April 2025, the thresholds for paying stamp duty when buying a property in England or Northern Ireland will return to their previous levels.
We recently crunched the numbers, and found that the changes will add £2,500 to the cost of buying for the average home mover.
First-time buyers in more expensive areas will feel the biggest shocks. Those purchasing in cities such as Bristol and Cambridge could see a hike of £6,000.
Homebuyers face a race against time to get their transactions over the line before 1 April.
The biggest issue is that buying and selling process can be lengthy, especially if you end up in a long chain.
Rightmove says that on average it takes two months for homes to find a buyer after being listed on the market.
Once an offer has been accepted, it can easily take a further three or four months for the transaction to reach completion.
It's likely that we'll see more property sales than usual this winter as buyers and sellers try to complete before the tax changes come into force.
However, if transactions look like drifting beyond the cut-off date of 31 March, buyers may look to renegotiate on price.
Henry Pryor says: 'I am hearing from buyers keen to avoid paying more and who want to start their search. I think there is still plenty of time. If you don’t find the right property in time, the additional cost you're paying in stamp duty will just come off the price.'
One estate agent we spoke to cautioned buyers and sellers against rushing to beat the deadline.
Sarah-Jane Bingham-Chick of Knight Frank says: 'If buyers and sellers are wondering about how to time the market, my advice is always to do what suits you at the time, and try not to pay too much attention to influencing factors outside of your control.'
There's no easy way of ensuring a sale goes through quickly, but we've picked out three tips to improve your chances.
Look for an estate agent with expertise in your area and a reputation for excellent communication to streamline the selling process.
Ask for recommendations for agents with a track record of selling quickly and smoothly in your local market.
Always get at least three quotes, and don't automatically choose the agent that claims they'll get you the highest price.
A simple but impactful change is to ensure your home is clean and clutter-free for photos and viewings.
A tidy and well-presented space helps potential buyers envision how they would live in the property, increasing its appeal.
If you can find a chain-free buyer (for example a first-time buyer or property investor) you might be able to get your sale through more quickly as you won't need to wait until they've sold a property.
This also applies when considering your next property. If you purchase a chain-free home, you might be able to move in more quickly.
Recent research by Zoopla found chain-free properties currently make up around a third of homes for sale, with a rise in numbers driven by landlords selling up.
2024 has been a relatively quiet year for housing transactions, with mortgage rates staying higher for longer and denting affordability.
Both Rightmove and Savills are anticipating a busier year in 2025, with house prices rising by around 4%.
A lot will depend on rates. The Bank of England is expected to gradually reduce its base rate during 2025, potentially pushing mortgage costs down.
The estate agency Hamptons predicts that property transactions will rise by 9% in 2025, driven by lower borrowing costs and improved affordability.
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