In a new regular feature on Island Echo, Charlie Panayi, CEO of Red Squirrel Property Shop, gives an update on the Isle of Wight’s property market…
When is the best time to sell? This is one of the most common questions I get asked and one of the most commonly misunderstood.
On the Isle of Wight, people often assume that July and August are the best months to sell. After all, it’s peak season, the Island is busy, and there are holidaymakers everywhere. It sounds logical, but it couldn’t be further from the reality.
The reality is that July and August are usually the quietest months for transactions on the Isle of Wight. Why? Because people are distracted. They’re on holiday, the kids are off school, and family/friend time takes priority. You might see plenty of viewings, but not so many serious offers.
The Best Months to Sell? December & January
If you want to hit the market at its busiest, the strongest period is usually December into January.
It might sound bizarre, but here’s why:
- New Year, New Me: We live in a “new year, new me” culture. People reflect towards the end of each year. Historically, homeowners moved every 20+ years. Today, that figure is closer to every 8 years. People get itchy feet quicker.
- The Christmas Realisation: People often realise over Christmas that their home no longer fits their needs. Maybe they’ve outgrown the space with children, or maybe the opposite, the home feels too big and it’s time to downsize.
- Separations: Sadly, January also sees a spike in separations. This often leads to larger homes coming onto the market, and in turn, demand for smaller properties as couples go their separate ways.
To give you an idea of the demand, Boxing Day regularly records 3x to 4x the traffic on major property portals compared to an average day. Rightmove themselves report Boxing Day as their busiest day of the year.
The Easter Period
The second-best time to sell is around Easter. By spring, the market naturally picks up for several reasons:
- Weather: Homes present better as gardens come into bloom and days are lighter, which helps photography and viewing times.
- Practicality: Families like to move over the summer holidays. To make that work, they start house-hunting in spring.
- Confidence: Spring tends to bring a sense of optimism, which often translates into financial decisions like moving home. Spring has consistently been one of the strongest periods for agreed sales across the UK, second only to the post-Christmas surge.
Does Timing Really Matter?
While December/January and Easter are statistically the strongest, does it actually matter when you market your home? A well-prepared, sensibly priced home will sell at any time of year.
What really matters is:
- Pricing realistically: Overpricing kills momentum, the first 6 weeks are the most important when marketing.
- Photography & presentation: Honest (no misleading wide-angle), high-quality images attract serious buyers.
- Marketing: Your agent should be proactive, not just list and wait.
- Track record: Look at average selling times of the agent, how often their listings need price reductions, and the quality of their service.
Too often, people focus on finding the cheapest commission. But as with anything, you get what you pay for. A proactive agent who invests in marketing, communicates properly, and actively works your sale is worth far more than shaving 0.5% off the fee. You will achieve a better price and time! There are a handful of very good agents on the island, so its always worth seeking three valuations when thinking about selling.
Final Thought
If you’re thinking of selling, don’t just ask when’s the best month? Ask instead:
- Is my home presented and priced correctly?
- Do I have the right agent working for me?
Because with the right preparation, your home will sell, whether it’s January, April, or even August.
