Home for the Holidays: Why Pricing Your Property Right is Key to a Festive Move

The festive period is approaching fast, and for many, the thought of a new beginning in a different home is just as exciting as the celebrations themselves. With the holiday break now only a few months away, sellers who want to be moved in time need to act quickly – and that means setting the right price from the very start.

According to the latest data, it currently takes an average of 63 days to secure a buyer, compared with 60 days at the same point last year. That takes us to early December, which makes it clear: if you want to be moved by the holiday period, your property needs to attract a serious buyer almost immediately. Once an offer is agreed, the legal process begins, and with completion typically taking four to five months, speed and cooperation become absolutely crucial.

The Property Academy’s Home Moving Trends Survey 2024 found that just 29% of sales completed within three months of going under offer, while around half (51%) took five months or more. Yet, more than four out of five sellers (82%) expect the process to be wrapped up in less than three months, showing the reality is often very different. The only way to even have a chance of beating the odds is to ensure that both buyers and sellers – along with their solicitors – work proactively and efficiently from the very start.

But before any of this can happen, the right buyer needs to be found. That is why pricing is so important. Properties that come to market too high tend to stagnate, losing vital momentum in those early weeks. Reductions made later rarely have the same impact as launching with a competitive price from day one. A well-priced home attracts more viewings, generates stronger interest, and secures proceedable buyers far more quickly – the essential first step in achieving a move by the end of the year.

At Langford Rae, we know that timing and pricing are inseparable. The run-up to the festive break often sees motivated buyers keen to secure a deal before the New Year. Families may want to be settled ahead of a new school term, while others see the holiday period as the perfect time to make a fresh start. Mortgage offers, too, have time limits, and with interest rates remaining under close scrutiny, many buyers are acting swiftly to lock in the right deal. These market forces all play into sellers’ hands, provided the property is positioned correctly.

Even once under offer, keeping things moving requires attention. Instructing a solicitor as soon as your property goes live, preparing all documentation in advance, and maintaining good communication with your estate agent are all ways to reduce delays. Yet none of this will matter without the right buyer – and that means being realistic about price.

Moving home in time for the festive period will always be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. Sellers who act decisively, price sensibly, and ensure their sale is handled proactively stand the best chance of completing before the holiday break.

If you’re considering a move, now is the moment to act. At Langford Rae Property Agents, we combine decades of experience with detailed market insight to help you price correctly and attract serious buyers quickly. The sooner your property goes under offer, the greater the chance of unwrapping your new home in time for the holidays. Contact our team today to get started.