December provides the perfect opportunity to reflect and consider what we want for our future. From personal resolutions to lifestyle and even location changes – this festive season promises to bring renewed hope and excitement for the new year ahead.
In what has been one of the most globally turbulent years, our homes, now more so than ever, are our sanctuaries. But more time spent at home, may have stirred up the need for increased indoor or outdoor space, a lower-maintenance home, a new location closer to loved ones or amenities perhaps. Whatever your moving goal, now is the time to go for it and look forward to living in the home that is right for you.
Buying and selling in the current market
There’s a common misconception that the Christmas period slows down the property market with people not looking to buy, but it’s famously one of the busiest times of the year for property searches!
In 2020, Rightmove had 150 million visitors in the days after Christmas. This highlights just how much people are raring and ready to go! Now is the perfect time for you to be getting ahead of the competition and the millions of other searchers out there.
During the pandemic in 2020, property search goals evolved, with many searching for outdoor space and additional office rooms, and location preferences also changed, with many looking to move to smaller towns and villages within commutable distance of larger cities.
If you're thinking of relocating to a new area then you're not alone. There has been an increased interest in rural homes, with popular areas including Suffolk and our very own Worthing, on the West Sussex coast.
When you're searching for your new home, it's important to know what you want and need from it, so you can be sure that you really know the one when you find it. Avoid these 2 common mistakes and you could be making an offer on your dream home right away!
Quick tip: When searching for your next home online, filter your search results to find the perfect property sooner! Read our short guide to help, plus download a free checklist too!
Good news for buyers
2020 saw the innovation emerge as estate agencies adapted to a the needs of the market, with technology advances supporting both vendors and buyers. More agents were offering virtual viewings and pre-recorded video tours of properties. At the time this was to make viewings safe and ensure that the market didn't stall. These technological advances continue to provide quick and simple solutions for buyers and sellers, especially over the holiday season.
So why wait? The market is strong, and a positive outlook is being hailed by the property experts.
Need help with your property search? Is the perfect property seemingly out of financial reach? Homewise could help.
If you’re aged 60 or over, the Home for Life Plan could provide the perfect solution for you to secure your dream home for less than the market value by boosting your budget. Meaning you could live in the perfect property and save money too! Plus, with our free Move Simply service, you’ll have our expert team to support you every step of your moving journey.
Get in touch to discover how we could help you achieve your moving goals.
Achieve a swift sale this winter
Over the holiday season property websites see an uplift in activity, with the period between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve being the busiest most portals see for the year. This uplift in activity means that now is the ideal time to put your property on the market, improving the likelihood of a swifter sale.
On top of this, in October 2023, Rightmove shared that the number of buyer enquiries on each available property was up by 8% on the annual average. This really highlights just how much the market is moving, and how keen people are to buy and sell.
So, if you want to sell quickly to capitalise on the increased demand, now is the time to prepare your property for buyers and beat the competition to secure an offer as soon as possible!
To avoid disappointment, ensure the property you are selling stands out from the others on the market; avoid these 3 common mistakes and you could achieve a swifter sale this winter!
Is your property struggling to sell?
Has your property been on the market for a while? If you’re keen to move on and already have an eye on your perfect new home, did you know you could sell your property instantly, through our "Sell Simply" service?
With a guaranteed cash offer and no Estate Agent fees, our part-exchange solution offers many benefits and could enable you to move home quicker. Plus, we can also step in to rescue breaks in your chain, helping you to continue with your dream move. Discover how you may benefit from our Sell Simply service, call our team for details.
Rest easy in the knowledge that with a secure offer on your property, you can head into 2021 with the notion that you’ll soon be settling into the property you’ve always wanted for your later years.
New home, health and happiness in the New Year
Whether you’ve found your next home or are just beginning your search, why not say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in the New Year knowing you've secured the perfect property for your future happiness!
While this may feel like a strange time to be pursuing your dream move, it is a great opportunity to take advantage of the current positive market conditions and to start the new year excited about what the next 12 months will bring.
Here at Homewise, for over 50 years our mission has been to help people find happiness and security later in life. We’ve helped hundreds of people over this time, could we help you too?
Did you know, if you're aged 60 or over, your moving budget could be boosted through a Home for Life Plan, and now it couldn’t be simpler to get an online estimate! With our online quick calculator you could see a quick property price you could look up to, and your saving estimate, try it now.
Would you like to know more about Homewise? Learn about our foundations and family values, and the customers we’ve helped, through our videos and customer reviews.