February is the best time to sell a house – 6 expert tips to get started

If you’re ready to move this year, February is the ideal time to get started. Our recent analysis showed that February has the highest proportion of homes going on to find a buyer, making it the best month to sell a home.

In our recent analysis, we found that 68.9% of homes put on the market in February went on to find a buyer, with March and January following close behind. March showed the highest amount of home-moving activity, with April and May in third and fourth place.

Whilst the data favours February, the difference between other months is minimal, with localised peaks and troughs of home-moving activity common throughout the year.

Preparing to sell your home in February

With spring on the horizon, if you’re looking to put your home on the market, February is the ideal time to start preparing.

To help you make the most of this year’s prime selling season, we asked estate agents from across the country to share their tips on how to prepare your home for a successful February sale. Here’s what they had to say.

Take your time to get organised

Whilst February is one of the better months to put your home on the market, it does still take time to sell. With the average time of properties being on the market around 76 days, the earlier you start looking for an agent and getting your home ready to view, the smoother the process is likely to be.

“If you want access to the best homes, there’s often competition. Sellers who are prepared early are in a stronger position to move quickly when the right property appears, particularly at the start of the year when more patient buyers are active and mortgage rates may be easing.” Charles Stoten, owner of David Doyle, Boxmoor

Make sure you take time getting your legal documents together and preparing information about your property. Create a digital file of things like your EPC certificate, fixtures and fittings warranties, or building regulation certificates. Whilst February is a busy time for new listings, it’s better not to rush to market; spend time getting the legal admin in order, as well as presenting your home in the best light.

“Speed to market does not equal speed to sale. Far better delaying for a couple of weeks to get everything in order rather than rushing to get online within hours of you instructing your estate agent.” David Adams, Managing Director of Cavendish, Chester and North Wales

Pick the right agent

The home-moving process can be an emotional and stressful time – working with the right agent on selling your home can make all the difference.

“Moving house can be daunting, so choosing the right estate agent is essential – after all, you will be entrusting the agency you choose with the sale of what is likely to be your most valuable asset.” Ian Fry, Head of Estate Agency at Fenn Wright

Look at your local options and speak to a few agents before agreeing. Ask agents about trends in the area, what they sell, how quickly, and how often they achieve asking price or more.

“Crucially, when choosing your estate agent to sell your home, make sure to ask them what their selling record is. What percentage of homes do they successfully sell, how many go for asking price or better and how long on average to sell.” David Adams, Managing Director of Cavendish, Chester and North Wales

Price realistically from the start

It’s generally recommended that you price your home realistically from the beginning, especially when you’re looking for a quick sale. Research we did on properties coming to market, showed that takes an average of 32 days to find a buyer if a property doesn’t need a price reduction, versus 99 days if it does.

“No matter what the month, the best way to prepare your home for an effective sale is to price it sensibly from the outset.” Ken Whittaker, Principal at Whittaker & Co.

With a lot of homes expected to come to market in February, this gives buyers more choice. Pricing your home competitively for your local area, should result in more interest and a quicker sale.

Our Property Expert Colleen Babcock adds, “There’s a twelve-year high number of homes for sale for this time of year, so buyers have lots of choice, and a third of properties that were already on the market for sale have had a price reduction.

This means that sellers need to be realistic and balance the price they want to achieve with the likelihood of being able to find a buyer in their local market at that price.”

Cavendish Agents also recommend pricing your home for your target buyers’ budget. For example, it can be better to price a home at £500,000 than £499,950, as buyers with a budget above £500,000 will typically search for properties at or above this price point.

If you’re unsure what the right price is,  look up sold house prices in your area and talk to your agents about the pricing trends they are seeing in the local neighbourhood.

Start the big declutter early

Whether you’re putting your home on the market in February, or later in Spring, it’s a great time to start the big declutter. We recommend doing this before the photographs are taken, so that your home appears more spacious.

“There is no better time to de-clutter, plus it will mean less to pack when you move.  Whether you put items in storage, sell them or donate them, it will give buyers a better idea of the space and look good for photographs.” Ian Fry, Head of Estate Agency at Fenn Wright

Start clearing out those storage cupboards and creating more space in the main rooms.

“Winter wear shows more in February, so it’s worth tackling the small, tired details. Worn doormats or cluttered hallways can make a home feel heavier than it is. A clean, neutral first impression helps buyers see past the season.” Charles Stoten, Owner of David Doyle Estate Agents

Consider your winter kerb-appeal

When looking to buy, first impressions can make a difference, whether it’s on the listing or when you view. February may not be the best month for your front or back garden, but there are little things you can do to make the entrance more presentable.

“First impressions count and the first thing people see is the exterior, so tackle those small DIY jobs like fixing a broken gate or clearing the path, and this could boost the kerb appeal of your home,” says Ian Fry, Head of Estate Agency at Fenn Wright

Whilst viewings may take place in the darker evenings or rainy days, it’s still worth considering how to improve your kerb-appeal for this time of year. Gardens don’t have to be in their best shape, but it helps to clear leaves out of the path and remove any debris.

“Forget about the gardens, most buyers aren’t necessarily bothered this time of year. Unless of course there are piles of rubbish out the front, if so then do a tip run for maximum kerb appeal. Make sure that the guttering isn’t spilling out with rainwater, and if you’ve got outdoor lighting, leave them on.” Joe Tuck, Managing Director at Target Property NE

Stage your home for February viewings

Before viewings begin, spend some time making sure your home is clean, tidy and welcoming to visitors. Simple but effective tips for staging your home for viewings in February and March, include:

• Clearing coats and shoes from hallways
• Putting the heating on or lighting the fire if it’s cold
• Fresh towels in bathrooms
• Emptying bins and clearing kitchens
• Lighting a scented candle or using air freshener to remove bad odours
• Clearing condensation from windows
• Use soft lighting such as lamps

“Clean windows allow more light in and clean kitchens and bathrooms are a must – this is the time for your home to shine and showcase your property to make it stand out from the crowd.” Ian Fry, Head of Estate Agency at Fenn Wright

No matter what time of year you are ready to sell, preparing ahead and working with your agent to price and market your home in the best way will make all the difference to your moving experience. Check out our seller guides for more tips on preparing your home for viewings.

READ MORE: When is the best time to sell a house?