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Sometimes personal circumstances dictate when you put your house on the market but if you have flexibility, choosing the right time to sell your house can help you to achieve a higher price and sell faster. During periods where there are more buyers looking for a new home, there will be more competition for the available properties, driving stronger offers.
If you are considering putting your house on the market, this guide explains the best time of year to sell property in Solihull and areas of Birmingham such as Hall Green, and covers the different factors that influence seasonal fluctuations in the housing market.
Yes, there are times throughout the year where buyer demand is higher or lower, and marketing your property at a time where there are more potential buyers can secure a higher price. You can also avoid having your house on the market for a long time when there is higher demand for properties. In quieter periods, properties can take months to sell, which can be frustrating and your property becomes ‘stale’, which means you might need to reduce the price.
However, the time of year is not the only contributing factor to a faster sale and higher price; the presentation of your home, the asking price you set and whether there are many similar properties on the market in your area will also have an influence.
In the UK, there are traditionally two peak windows which are spring and early autumn, and the Midlands housing market generally follows the national trends. If you are wondering when the best time is to sell a house, we break down the seasons below, providing insights into the reasons behind the seasonal differences in buyer activity.
Buyer demand generally peaks between February and May, as buyers tend to wait until the new year to start looking for a new home and families will be keen to get settled in before the new school year starts in September. Research by Rightmove revealed that the best months to list a property are February and March and these months also saw the highest completion success rates.
Another reason spring is a good time for selling a home is because properties often look their best at this time of year, with gardens starting to bloom, and the brighter and longer days give stronger appeal than the gloomy days of winter.
Properties in Birmingham and surrounding areas offer close proximity to a number of highly regarded grammar schools, so lots of parents will be motivated to move before summer. Major employers in the area such as NEC and Jaguar Land Rover also tend to have recruitment drives for graduates to start in September, so young professionals are also looking to move at this time of year.
Moving into the summer months, early summer can still be a good time to sell but it slows down in the school holidays through July and August. Families are taking summer holidays so they pause their search for properties and not as many viewings will be booked.
However, in June and early July, there is often a large number of potential buyers looking for purchases to go through quickly so that they can move into their new home in time for the start of the school year. Properties with gardens or outdoor space tend to be in higher demand around this time.
After the slower summer months, the housing market picks up again in early autumn when summer holidays are out of the way and buyers are looking to get started on their house move after a refreshing break.
There will also be an urgency to complete the purchase before the Christmas period, which can shorten negotiation timelines. During autumn, gardens look appealing and using warm interior lighting can create a homely environment that people can see themselves living in.
In autumn, there will generally be less properties for sale in your local market so you will have less competition than in the spring when many sellers are looking for a new start. If you have missed the spring window, early autumn is the next best time to put your property on the market.
While some sales do happen throughout the winter months, this is usually a quiet time in the housing market. People are focusing on spending time with their family at Christmas and tend to hold off property searches until the new year.
Properties are harder to present at this time of year when it is darker and the weather is colder. Typically, buyers looking to purchase over winter can be highly motivated if they are investing or relocating, or if there are deadlines within their property chain.
Search data also shows that there is a ‘Boxing Day bounce’ where potential buyers start looking for properties after Christmas Day so that they can start the year by moving into a new home.
If you are selling during winter, you should maximise lighting and keep the property warm for viewings to emphasise the cosy appeal of the home.
Seasonal selling snapshot for Birmingham and Solihull
| Season | Buyer demand | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Highest | Families targeting school catchments, sellers wanting top price | High competition from other sellers listing at the same time |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Mixed, strong early then drops | Quick movers in June/early July | Viewings slow significantly during school holidays |
| Early Autumn (Sep–Oct) | Second peak | Sellers who missed spring, less competition | Shorter negotiation window before Christmas |
| Winter (Nov–Feb) | Lowest | Highly motivated buyers, relocations | Properties harder to present, longer time on market |
Online views on property portals that turn into active leads tend to peak midweek between Tuesday and Thursday, as buyers look to arrange viewings for the weekend. Sunday is usually the busiest days for searches, as people have more time but they often spend a few more days deciding which properties they want to view.
In terms of months, February and March attract the highest interest and then September and October sees another rise in searches and viewings.
| Timing factor | Best window | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best months to list | February, March | Highest buyer search activity and completion success rates |
| Second-best months | September, October | Renewed activity once summer holidays end |
| Best days for portal activity | Tuesday to Thursday | Buyers arrange viewings ahead of the weekend |
| Highest search volume day | Sunday | More browsing time, though decisions often take longer |
Aside from timing your sale around seasonal trends, other factors that affect when to sell include:
| Question | If yes |
|---|---|
| Is your fixed-rate mortgage ending soon? | Selling now may avoid early repayment charges, even outside peak season |
| Have mortgage rates fallen recently? | Buyer demand may be rising, worth checking current local interest |
| Are there fewer similar properties for sale in your street or area right now? | Reduced competition could outweigh the usual seasonal pattern |
| Are you outside the spring or autumn peak? | Get a local valuation to see how much timing actually matters for your specific property |
Most sales in the Birmingham and Solihull area take around 12 to 16 weeks from listing to completion, though this varies with the season and chain length. Spring listings often move faster due to higher buyer demand, while properties listed in winter can take longer to attract serious offers. Your conveyancer and chain position will also affect the final timeline.
Alongside agent fees, sellers typically pay for an Energy Performance Certificate, conveyancing fees, and any mortgage redemption charges. You may also need to budget for minor repairs or staging costs to help your property show well, particularly if you’re listing during a quieter season like winter when presentation matters more.
Not necessarily. If your fixed rate ends in winter, selling then can avoid early repayment charges, which often outweighs the benefit of waiting for the spring peak. Winter buyers also tend to be more motivated, often relocating or investing under their own deadlines, so you may still secure a reasonable offer.
Online valuations give a rough estimate based on local sold prices and algorithms, but they can’t account for your property’s condition, layout, or recent improvements. An in-person valuation from a local estate agent gives a far more accurate figure, particularly in areas like Solihull where property types and prices vary street by street.
Yes, properties within reach of well-regarded grammar schools often see stronger demand in the spring months, as families aim to move before September admissions deadlines. This can mean faster sales and more competitive offers, though it’s worth confirming exact catchment boundaries with a local agent rather than assuming based on postcode alone.
Yes, it’s possible. While winter sees fewer buyers overall, those who are searching tend to be highly motivated, often relocating for work or working to a fixed deadline. With good lighting, a warm interior and realistic pricing, winter sellers can still achieve a solid result, just with fewer competing offers to choose from.
Start preparing around 4 to 6 weeks before your intended listing date. This gives you time to handle repairs, declutter, arrange photography and, if listing in spring, let the garden establish itself. Earlier preparation also means you’re ready to list as soon as buyer activity picks up in February or March.
The best way is to speak to a local estate agent who understands current demand in your street and area, since local supply and competing listings can matter more than the season. Booking a valuation gives you an accurate, up-to-date picture of your property’s worth and how it fits the current market.
In the Birmingham and Solihull property markets, there is consistent demand due to employment hubs, grammar school catchments and good transport links for commuters. If you are considering selling your property, book a valuation or get in touch for local market expertise from our team at Patridge Homes.
Then book a free, no-obligation property valuation today.
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