🏡 February & March: The Best Time to Get Your Home Sold
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Herne Bay or Whitstable, timing could play a bigger role than you realise. New research from Rightmove shows that late winter and early spring — particularly February and March — consistently deliver the strongest results for sellers.
The analysis looked at millions of homes listed for sale over a ten-year period (2014–2024), excluding the pandemic year of 2020 and late 2025 listings that may still be awaiting a buyer. The findings offer clear guidance on when sellers are most likely to secure a sale.
📊 Why February Comes Out on Top
According to Rightmove’s data, February is the most successful month to sell a home when measured by the likelihood of finding a buyer.
On average, an impressive 68.9% of homes listed in February go on to secure a buyer. That means nearly seven in ten sellers who launch in February successfully agree a sale — the highest success rate of any month.
January and March follow closely behind, both with a 68.8% success rate, reinforcing the idea that the market really starts to work in a seller’s favour as the year gets underway.
⏱️ January & February: The Fastest Months to Find a Buyer
While February edges ahead overall, January actually takes the title for speed.
- January listings find a buyer in an average of 47 days
- February listings follow closely at 48 days
This suggests that buyers who come to market early in the year are often motivated and ready to act — good news for sellers keen to avoid a long marketing period.
📈 March: The Busiest Month for Buyer Activity
March stands out as the busiest month overall for home-moving activity.
It typically sees:
- The highest number of new properties coming to market
- The greatest number of active buyers searching
- The most sales being agreed
For sellers, this increased activity can translate into more viewings and stronger competition — particularly for well-presented, realistically priced homes.
📉 Even the “Quiet” Months Still Perform
Interestingly, even October — the weakest-performing month in the analysis — still saw 65.4% of homes find a buyer on average.
This highlights an important point: while timing can give you an edge, good pricing, presentation and marketing remain crucial throughout the year.
🗣️ What the Experts Say
“It’s a tight contest, but on average February is the best month to get your home sold, followed by further strong months during the upcoming and very important spring home-moving season.”
📍 What This Means for Sellers in Herne Bay & Whitstable
Locally, we often see buyer demand increase sharply as the year begins — particularly for family homes and coastal properties.
If you’re planning a move, February and March offer a strong window of opportunity. Buyers are active, motivated, and keen to secure a home before the spring and summer months.
As always, success comes down to getting the fundamentals right: realistic pricing, strong presentation, and professional marketing from day one.
