Sellers Spring Into Action

Spring has always been the season when the property market wakes up, and the data shows that tradition is alive and well. Longer days, better weather and a renewed sense of optimism all combine to make spring the most popular time of year to buy and sell a home. For sellers thinking about making a move, the evidence is clear: getting your property to market early in the year can significantly improve your chances of a successful sale.

National figures underline just how powerful the spring market can be. February and March consistently stand out as the strongest months to list a home, delivering the highest number of properties that go on to successfully complete. Nearly seven in ten homes (66.3%) listed during these two months went on to completion, comfortably outperforming the average success rate of 55.5% recorded across 2025. In plain terms, sellers who acted early in the spring enjoyed materially better outcomes than those who waited.

Speed is another major advantage. February is one of the fastest months in which to find a buyer, matching January with an average of just 51 days to secure an offer. March and April follow closely behind at around 52 days. This matters because momentum is everything in a property transaction. Homes that attract early interest tend to achieve stronger prices and face fewer complications later in the process.

Buyer confidence is also being supported by broader market conditions. Easing mortgage rates and a high level of choice are encouraging activity as 2026 gets underway, according to Rightmove and Dataloft by PriceHubble. When buyers feel confident about affordability and have plenty of options to compare, they are more willing to commit, provided a property is priced sensibly and presented well.

Local data from the BR6 and TN14 7 postcode areas reinforces this national picture. In February 2025, 120 new listings were added to Rightmove, taking the total number of properties for sale to 561. This rose again in March to 574 homes on the market, with 141 of these being brand-new listings launched during that month alone. Despite this increase in supply, buyer demand remained robust. One hundred properties listed during February were sold subject to contract, followed by a further 92 going under offer in March.

This balance between supply and demand is a key point for sellers. A busier market does not automatically mean tougher competition. On the contrary, when buyer activity is high, well-priced homes still stand out and transact quickly. The spring market tends to attract motivated buyers who want to be in position for the summer, whether that is families planning a move before the new school year or upsizers taking advantage of improved borrowing conditions.

Fast forward to 9 February 2026 and the picture shows a slightly leaner market. There are currently 508 properties being marketed for sale across the same postcode areas, with 28 homes already sold subject to contract. Compared with the spring surge seen a year earlier, this suggests a more measured level of stock, which can work in a seller’s favour. Fewer competing properties mean greater visibility for new listings, especially if they are launched at a time when buyer interest is traditionally strongest.

The lesson for homeowners is straightforward. Spring rewards preparation and decisiveness. Sellers who bring their homes to market early, price realistically and present them properly are statistically more likely to sell, and to do so faster. Waiting for “the perfect moment” often means missing the window when demand is at its most concentrated.

As ever, timing alone is not enough. Accurate pricing, professional marketing and informed advice remain essential. But with the spring market once again proving its strength, the numbers make a compelling case: when sellers spring into action, results tend to follow.