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How to Beat the Post-Christmas Property Surge

Dec 18, 2024
Last year, RightMove saw visits to their site double between Christmas and Boxing Day and estate agency inquiries more than tripled. However, only 44% of people know that this is the busiest period for buying, meaning they may be unprepared for the competitive landscape. 
According to a new survey by David Wilson Homes, 51% of Brits aim to move property in 2025. However, of those looking to move, 57% confess that they have no plan of action in place to make moving home a reality. 
 
To help ensure you can secure your dream home amidst the post-Christmas property surge, Sales Director, Gavin Powell, from David Wilson Homes North West and mortgage expert Terry Higgins Group MD for TNHG New Build Mortgages, share their top five tips for prospective buyers. 
 
Gavin Powell says: “Starting the new year by buying a new home may be a dream for many, but the surge in buying at the start of the year can make the process more difficult.” 
 
 

1. Start looking early 

 
Sales Director, Gavin Powell, says: “If you’re hoping to buy in the New Year, you should start thinking now about what areas you’ll be looking in, what requirements your new home will need, and what your budget is. 
 
“A common mistake many people make is entering the buying process without having a clear idea of what they want and what they can realistically afford, meaning they waste a lot of time looking at properties they won’t consider. 
 
“Now is also a great time to start making connections with mortgage advisors, lenders, local estate agents, and new build companies. Use this time before Christmas to answer as many questions as possible so you’re ready to enter 2025 with all of the information you need to move up or get onto the property ladder.”  
 
 

2. Get all of your documents in order

 
“Having all of the necessary documents and paperwork you need to hand can massively help you to speed through the buying process. 
 
“Delays in finding recent bank statements, proof of income or employment, or identity documents can allow other prepared buyers to swoop in and take your position in a sale. 
 
“I’d recommend starting a folder with every document you might need clearly labelled. It can also help to have both physical and digital copies of all of these documents so that you can easily share them in whatever format is required.” 
 
 

3. Keep up with the buying landscape

 
"Keeping up to date with the latest market trends can give you a significant advantage. You need to understand the current demand in your area, average property prices, and how quickly homes are selling. This will help you make informed decisions and act fast when the perfect home appears.
 
"Subscribe to property newsletters, follow market news, and stay up to date with local property forums. Being well-informed means confidently making offers, negotiating, and staying on top of the ever-changing property landscape."
 
 

4. Enhance your buyer profile

 
Mortgage expert, Terry Higgins, advises: “One of the best things you can do to make yourself appear more attractive to sellers is to obtain a mortgage pre-approval. 
 
“Getting a Mortgage in Principle (also known as an Agreement in Principle or Decision in Principle) from your lender can be helpful for you to know how much you’re able to potentially borrow but it can also signal to sellers that you’re a serious buyer and that you’ll be able to follow through if you submit an offer. 
 
“Another way to make yourself more attractive to sellers is to have a larger deposit. While this isn’t an option for everyone, it’s important to let sellers know when you can exceed the minimum deposit as this can greatly improve your chances of landing the sale.” 
 
 

5. Have a mortgage advisor ready 

 
Terry adds: “It is vital that you speak to a mortgage adviser as earlier in the process as possible.  Working with them can help you navigate the buying process, which can be confusing to inexperienced buyers and first-time buyers trying to get onto the property ladder. They will also be able explain the associated costs of moving like, Stamp Duty, Valuation fees and conveyancers fees and when you will be required to pay them.”
 
“Independent advisors are often better to opt for as they will look at a range of mortgage products available on the market to find you the best deal, while mortgage advisors working for lenders will only offer their mortgage products. 
 
“Mortgage advisors can be especially useful for first-time buyers or those juggling many commitments while searching for a new home. Make sure you understand the most important questions to ask a mortgage advisor ahead of time.” 
 

 

Buying a new-build home can be one of the most hassle-free methods of purchasing a property. As new-builds don’t have previous occupiers, your purchase won’t fall through at the last minute because of any chain breaks. 

 

New builds can also come with a number of incentive schemes, such as a first home scheme, part exchange scheme, or even keyworker deposit contribution schemes.

 

 

Methodology

David Wilson Homes surveyed 500 UK adults [05/12/2024]. 
 

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