Estate agents tell homeowners not to wait for house sale

Over 80 per cent of estate agents are recommending that sellers should put their property on the market by the beginning of January.

15:55 30 November 2004

Over 80 per cent of estate agents are recommending that sellers should put their property on the market by the beginning of January and not wait until the Spring.

A poll by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) asked estate agents across the country when they would recommend a seller should place their house on the market over the winter and also asked for the agents' top tips to help sell a home during this time.

Just under a third (29.1 per cent) of the agents polled recommended early December would be a good time to put a home up for sale with 48.7 per cent suggesting January. Only 16.2 per cent said that sellers should wait until the Spring - traditionally a busy time in the housing market.

In addition, the survey also asked for agents' opinions on how to boost a home's appeal.

Top of the list, with 76.5 per cent of agents recommending it, was decluttering the interior of a home. This was seen as an inexpensive way to dramatically increase the perception of space.

Decluttering was closely followed by a thorough spring clean.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA, commented: "We have been seeing a lot of media reports recently that the housing market is stalling.

"However, although we are seeing a slight slowdown, we anticipate that this will be short-lived.

"Many potential buyers are acting cautiously at the moment but they are still looking for good quality, realistically priced properties, especially if buyers are willing to stage properties to suit the widest market.

"It's often worthwhile getting a second opinion regarding the overall impression of your home as it is difficult to be objective."

Nationwide today revealed that house prices rose once again in November - to stand 15 per cent higher than the same time last year.

However, recent data also hints at fewer properties changing hands. Nationwide said today that activity in November was at a five year low, while the Bank of England has said that the number of mortgages issued dropped to 83,000 in the month - the fifth consecutive decline.