When Is The Best Time Of Year To Sell Your Home?🏡
Why it may be sooner than you think...
When is the best time to sell your home
If you are thinking about selling your property in 2026, timing matters more than many people realise. Market data, buyer behaviour and seasonal trends all point to one clear conclusion. The first quarter of the year is consistently the strongest period for sellers, and 2026 is shaping up to be no exception.
Research from Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket and Barclays all highlights the same message. January, February and March deliver higher success rates, faster sales and stronger buyer demand than any other time of year. For homeowners considering a move, this creates a powerful opportunity to achieve a smoother sale and a stronger price.
A strong start to the year for the property market
Buyer enquiries increased by 67% in the five days after Christmas, and the number of new properties being listed more than doubled with a 143% increase in listings during the same period.
This momentum continues into the New Year. Rightmove reports that website visits in the second week of January are typically 69% higher than the first week of December, with some of the highest traffic days of the entire year taking place in January.
Zoopla data supports this trend, showing that the UK housing market rebounded strongly in the first two weeks of January, with the highest number of early January listings since 2018. Buyer demand at the start of 2026 is over 20% higher than at the start of 2023 and the pre pandemic years of 2017 to 2019.
Market confidence remains resilient
Following The Budget, OnTheMarket released a special edition of their Property Sentiment Index. The results show that 50% of people planning a move said The Budget had no impact on their plans, while 6% actually accelerated their moving timescales. Only 15% reported delaying or cancelling their move.
Policy specific measures such as the so called Mansion Tax were largely seen as neutral, with 66% stating it would have no impact on their buying or selling plans and only 2% citing it as a reason for cancelling their move.
Barclays data also shows that 58% of UK adults say their confidence in their ability to buy a home is unimpacted, reinforcing the strength of buyer confidence in the market.
Why the first quarter works so well for sellers
Higher chances of a successful sale
Rightmove research from 2025 shows that 66.3% of homes listed in February and March went on to complete, compared to the 2025 annual average success rate of 55.53%. January and April also performed strongly, making the first quarter the most productive period for sellers.
Faster selling times
Historically, February and January are the quickest months to find a buyer, with the average home securing a buyer in just 51 days. March and April closely follow at 52 days. In 2025, the average time to sell ranged between 59 and 77 days, meaning early year listings consistently outperform the rest of the year.
Motivated and confident buyers
Buyers entering the market in January, February and March are serious about moving. Many paused during late 2025 due to uncertainty but are now returning to the market with clear intent. With 58% of UK adults saying their home buying confidence is unaffected, early year buyers are decisive and ready to act.
Less competition
Although January sees an increase in new listings, competition remains lower than during the traditional spring and summer peak periods. This gives early sellers a valuable advantage by accessing strong demand before the market becomes saturated.
What this means for RedRoots sellers
For homeowners in the RedRoots community, this creates a powerful opportunity. Listing your property in January, February or March places your home in front of the most active, motivated and confident buyers of the year. It increases your chances of strong interest, competitive offers and a smoother sale process.
The evidence is clear. Post Budget momentum, combined with over a decade of Rightmove data and current market indicators from Zoopla, OnTheMarket and Barclays, shows that the first quarter of 2026 offers the strongest conditions for sellers.
At RedRoots Property, we help our clients position their homes to stand out, attract serious buyers and achieve the best possible result.
If you are thinking about moving this year, speak to the RedRoots team today and find out how we can help you make the most of the market while conditions are working in your favour.
