How to seal the deal: why March 17 is the best date to list your home for sale this year

If you're thinking of getting your home ready to sell this spring, you may have less time than you think because March 17 has been revealed as the best day to list a home for sale.

To pinpoint the date, estate agent Emoov.co.uk used research to discover that June was the top month for property sales last year.

Next, data published by the Post Office revealed that it took an average of 96 days to sell a home in the UK last year. Working backwards from mid-June, the peak sales day for home owners was confirmed to be around March 17.

“Although June may seem a long time away yet, those looking to hit the market peak should already be thinking about listing their home over the coming weeks,” says Russell Quirk, founder and CEO of Emoov.co.uk.

If you’re in London, you’ll need to be even quicker because the average time to sell is now 111 days, so properties listed on February 24 have the highest chance of a mid-June sale.

There are large variations between major cities in how quickly property might sell, with Bristol being the fastest, where properties sell on average at 61 days.

In Hull, it takes 101 days on average to sell, so March 6 is the best time to list, while homeowners in Cardiff and Derby can wait until March 21.

THREE TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR HOME READY TO SELL

1. STAGING AND DECLUTTERING
Rupert Lawson Johnston, from estate agent Strutt & Parker, recommends preparing your home weeks in advance. "Declutter, put items in storage, clean and make sure you add personal touches like fresh flowers and scented candles," he says.

2. FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
The front garden is often the first thing a potential a viewer will see and one of the most overlooked areas by sellers. Mow the lawn, keep plants looking fresh and colourful, while you should put out your garden furniture in the back garden for an added lifestyle touch.

3. NO NO-GO ZONES
Never prevent access from any part of the home. This will only set alarm bells ringing. If it’s clutter you’re hiding, rent out storage space. "It’s unrealistic to expect buyers to commit to purchasing your home if they can’t see all of it,” says Lawson Johnston.