February has been identified as the prime month to list your home for sale, as per data from Rightmove. A recent study on house sales found that 68.9% of homes put on the market in February were successfully sold.
Following closely behind, January and March shared the second spot, with 68.8% of listed homes finding buyers on average. April claimed third place with 68.7%, while May followed with 67.7%.
On the contrary, October ranked lowest on the list, with 65.4% of homes listed during that month eventually being sold. On average, it takes about seven months to secure a buyer for a property and complete the sale process.
The analysis by Rightmove examined millions of properties listed for sale from 2014 to 2024, excluding 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The year 2025 was also omitted to accommodate properties listed later in the year still awaiting buyers.
In terms of speed, January emerged as the quickest month for finding a buyer, averaging 47 days, closely followed by February at 48 days. March stands out as the month with the highest number of new property listings and the most overall sales agreements on average.
Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, noted that February stands out as the optimal month to sell a home, with strong selling months anticipated during the upcoming Spring moving season. She advised potential sellers considering a 2026 move to act promptly to leverage the heightened home-buyer activity.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the need for a smoother buying and selling process to reduce stress and prevent transaction failures, making the journey towards a new home more seamless and exciting.
John Baybut, Managing Director at Berkeley Shaw Real Estate, highlighted the current robust conditions in the UK property market, attributing strength to declining interest rates and the market’s historical resilience. He stressed the importance for serious buyers to be prepared with mortgage approvals and their own homes under contract to secure their desired properties during the busy February market.
Mike Sharman, Group Managing Director at Sharman Quinney, described January as a bustling period for vendors planning their moves for the year ahead. He identified February and March as months marked by an influx of new property listings, driven by the onset of early spring, with sellers ready to engage with the market after thorough research and property viewings.
Overall, industry experts anticipate a buoyant market ahead, urging both buyers and sellers to be proactive and well-prepared for the upcoming property season.