What a lovely Indian summer we’re having! As well as making my morning run a lot pleasanter than it’s going to be in a month or so, it’s also putting buyers in a positive frame of mind – great news for sellers and for the East London property market in general.

Even without 2018’s gorgeous weather, September is a good time to be selling property. This is particularly true of the kind of property that I sell, like one- and two-bedroom flats, and family houses in Hertfordshire. Many people believe that spring is the best time to sell property, but generalising isn’t always helpful. It’s more important to consider the type of property you’re selling and who your target market is.

Why do people buy property in the autumn?

With August typically the quietest month of the year in all but the tourism industry, many people can finally catch up on their thinking time! Away on holiday, they can lie on a beach and think about how much they’ll hate going back to that flat they’ve outgrown, or they’ll catch themselves wishing they had room for a dog, or they’ll realise they want to live somewhere with a bit more (or a bit less) of a buzz. Back in Blighty, it won’t be long before they’ll start doing a few internet property searches – before they know it, they’ll have booked their first viewing…

Characteristics of autumn buyers

People buying property during September and October are often more motivated about their move than people buying at other times of the year. This is partly due to psychology – they’ve got to get this move completed before the end of the year, because no one wants to go into a new year with unfinished business dragging them down. While second-time-buyers are often have more realistic expectations and are prepared to wait, first-time-buyers (usually looking for a one- or two-bedroom flat) often feel more pressure from the passing of time – buying property in the autumn and being settled by the end of the year has a strong appeal.

Autumn buyers are also under pressure from Christmas (!) which, as we all know, seems to start earlier every year. No one wants to be dealing with a move while they should be planning the family party of the year – you want to be ordering a turkey, not instructing a solicitor.

Sell your London property with Dockleys

September is a great time of year to sell both flats and family houses. To find out how I can help you sell yours in time for Christmas, give me, Adam Dockley, a call today on 020 3633 4440.