Is now the right time to move house?

When lockdown hit in March 2020, it felt like the world briefly stopped amidst all the uncertainty. The housing market in particular was hugely affected, with people putting house moves on hold whilst they got to grips with what was going on in the world.

When restrictions ended there was a surge in house prices and an increase in demand. Priorities had changed and there was a trend towards moving out of the cities and finding properties with more space. Now, two years on from the pandemic, the property market is thriving. House prices have increased due to pent up demand as well as the housing shortage in the UK.

After all this excitement, is the property market going to dip? People are asking whether or not now is the right time to move house or whether this property bubble is going to burst. High interest rates and the cost of living crisis have seen households squeezed, so there is speculation that the market could become more stagnant. There is still uncertainty around the future of Covid, as well as inflation and interest rates, and this ambiguity often leads to people putting off making big financial decisions such as moving house.

There are some predictions that property prices will fall over the next two years. But currently as more and more people are competing for a limited supply of housing, prices continue to rise. There is no guarantee when it comes to the property market so if you are in a position to move just now, then there is no reason to hold off. Summer is often a quiet time for house moves but is the ideal time to get your property ready to market in September.

So if you are thinking of putting your property on the market, then spend the summer making some simple changes which can help increase the value of your property as well as speed up the sales process:

Maximise kerb appeal – first impressions count so make sure your garden is well maintained, the pathway is tidy and clear (bins out of sight!) and touch up any brickwork or paint on your exterior.

Add a fresh lick of paint – fresh neutral colours will make your property appear larger and brighter, and will also give viewers a palette to work with straight away.

DIY – make it easy for buyers to appreciate the property by fixing any broken cupboards, cracked tiles, holes, windows etc.

Make your home bright and inviting – make the most of natural lighting if you can, and add soft furnishings to your lounge and bedroom to make the rooms inviting.

Use your space – every room should have a purpose and try to demonstrate how to use any awkward spaces like under the stairs or the attic.

Viewing day - when viewers come ensure that bad odours are banished. You don’t need to go as far as baking fresh bread, but open windows and light scented candles and ensure you house smells fresh.

1. Declutter – get rid of items that you no longer need and put other things in storage to make the most of the space you have.

2. Maximise kerb appeal – first impressions count so make sure your garden is well maintained, the pathway is tidy and clear (bins out of sight!) and touch up any brickwork or paint on your exterior.

3. Add a fresh lick of paint – fresh neutral colours will make your property appear larger and brighter, and will also give viewers a palette to work with straight away.

4. DIY – make it easy for buyers to appreciate the property by fixing any broken cupboards, cracked tiles, holes, windows etc.

5. Make your home bright and inviting – make the most of natural lighting if you can, and add soft furnishings to your lounge and bedroom to make the rooms inviting.

6. Use your space – every room should have a purpose and try to demonstrate how to use any awkward spaces like under the stairs or the attic.

7.     Viewing day - when viewers come ensure that bad odours are banished. You don’t need to go as far as baking fresh bread, but open windows and light scented candles and ensure you house smells fresh.

Whether you are buying or selling, our experienced property team will provide you with all of the essential information you need to make the process as smooth as possible.