Thinking of moving but not sure about timing? Here’s what the autumn market, the run-up to Christmas and the spring rush really mean for sellers in Poole, Bournemouth and Verwood.
Every October we hear the same question: is it worth putting the house on the market now, or should we wait until the new year? There’s no single right answer, but there are some useful facts to weigh up. Here’s a plain guide to help you decide.
What the market looks like this autumn
After a quiet summer, there are signs of the usual autumn pick-up. Rightmove’s September figures showed the average asking price for newly listed homes rising 0.7% to £367,440, the first monthly rise since May. In the South West, asking prices held steady at an average of £378,323, about 1.1% lower than a year ago.
Buyers are more cautious than last year. Rightmove reports buyer enquiries are around 9% lower than a year earlier, and the number of homes for sale is at a 12-year high for the time of year. In plain terms, buyers have more choice, so homes that are well presented and sensibly priced are the ones that sell.
Mortgage costs matter too. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% in September, its sixth hold in a row, and its next decision is due on 5 November. Moneyfacts reported average two-year fixed rates of 5.73% and five-year fixes of 5.78% in mid-September, both slightly up on August. The Autumn Budget follows on 28 October, so some buyers may wait to see what it brings before committing.
The case for selling before Christmas
Less competition from other sellers. Many people take their homes off the market in November and December, or hold off listing until January. That can leave serious buyers with fewer homes to choose from, and your home gets more attention.
The buyers who are looking mean it. People viewing in late autumn tend to have a reason to move, such as a new job, a growing family or a school place. You’ll usually see fewer casual viewers and more motivated ones.
A head start on a long process. Rightmove’s figures show it currently takes around 64 days on average to find a buyer nationally (72 days in the South West), and then several more months to reach completion. If you agree a sale this autumn, you could realistically be moving in spring. If you wait until spring to list, you may not move until summer.
Your home can look its best. Warm lighting, a lit fire and a tidy garden can make a home feel very welcoming on a dark evening. Autumn photos taken on a bright day still look great online.
The case for waiting until the new year
A big surge in buyers. The days after Christmas are now some of the busiest of the year online. Rightmove reported record visits on Boxing Day 2025, up 93% on Christmas Day, with enquiries to agents up 67% in the five days after Christmas compared with the five days before.
But a surge in sellers too. New listings rose 143% over the same period. More buyers often means more competition from other homes, so waiting doesn’t automatically mean a better price.
Gardens and outside space. If your garden, sea view or outdoor space is a big selling point, spring sunshine can help it shine. This is worth thinking about in areas like Lilliput, Canford Cliffs and Southbourne.
Time to prepare. If your home needs work before it’s ready, it can be better to use the winter to fix, declutter and redecorate, then launch properly in the new year.
Three things matter more than the date
1. The price. With more homes on the market, buyers compare carefully. Rightmove has warned that sellers who price too ambitiously this autumn risk not moving until after Easter. Pricing right from day one is the best way to avoid a long, stale listing.
2. Being ready. Have your paperwork in order, choose a solicitor early and get your EPC sorted. It’s also worth understanding the full cost of moving, from agent fees to legal costs; our guide to selling costs sets these out. If you’re buying as well, check the stamp duty you’ll pay on your next home.
3. Your own plans. If you need to move by a certain date, work backwards. With a sale taking several months from listing to completion, the earlier you start, the more control you have. If you’re a landlord thinking about selling an investment property, our landlord guide may help you weigh up selling against keeping it.
So, now or spring?
If your home is ready and you have a reason to move in the first half of next year, there’s a good case for listing this autumn while competition is lower. If your home needs work, or your garden is its best feature, using the winter to prepare for an early spring launch can make sense. Either way, the right price and good preparation will make more difference than the month you choose.
Local markets differ too. A family home in Oakdale or Broadstone may behave quite differently from a flat in Winton or a detached home in Verwood. You’ll find more answers in our FAQs.
Get a free valuation
Not sure whether to sell now or wait? Our Poole, Bournemouth and Verwood teams will give you an honest, no-obligation valuation and a straight answer on timing. Call Oakdale on 01202 681113, Winton on 01202 512348 or Sam Garlick in Verwood on 07359 667183, or contact us online.
Sources
Rightmove House Price Index, September 2026: rightmove.co.uk/news/house-price-index
Estate Agent Today, “Rightmove warns agents: There may be trouble ahead”, September 2026: estateagenttoday.co.uk
Moneyfacts, Bank of England base rate September 2026: moneyfactscompare.co.uk
Estate Agent Today, “Rightmove records ‘busiest ever’ Boxing Day bounce”, January 2026: estateagenttoday.co.uk
BKL, Property and other taxes ahead of Autumn Budget 2026: bkl.co.uk