Selling your home in the January property rush: advice from Manning Stainton

By Mark Manning, of Manning Stainton

January is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for the property market, as people return from the Christmas break ready to make their next move.

In fact, house-hunting often starts before the decorations have even come down. Boxing Day has become a key date in the property calendar, with Rightmove recording its busiest ever Boxing Day in 2025.

That means that now is the time to get your home sale ready if you want to sell it in the new year.

Here are my top five tips for getting ahead of the new year scramble:

1. Declutter, decorate and make your home look its best

First impressions matter, and buyers need to be able to picture themselves living in your home. Start by decluttering each room, clearing surfaces and getting rid of anything you don’t need to make the most of the space you have. Then decide whether your property would benefit from a fresh lick of paint and book a decorator or plan in some time to do it yourself. It sounds simple but a fresh coat of paint can instantly refresh the interior of a house, and choosing neutral colours can make the space feel clean, inviting and ready for others to put their stamp on.

2. Get DIY jobs done before Christmas

If you’ve been putting off fixing a dripping tap, replacing dirty grout in the shower, or repairing a loose door handle, now’s a good time to get it sorted. Small maintenance jobs improve the look of your property and make it feel well-maintained.

Make a list of anything that needs sorting and work through it over the coming weeks, prioritising the jobs that will have the biggest impact

3. Don’t forget about kerb appeal

Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see, so make sure it gives the right impression. Clear fallen leaves, tidy up the garden, clean windows and ensure the entrance looks welcoming.

If fences need repairing or hedges need cutting back, get those jobs done now before the colder, wetter weather makes them more difficult. Even in the winter months, a well-maintained exterior really helps to give a good first impression of your home.

4. Get your paperwork in order

Selling a property involves more than finding a buyer, and getting your paperwork in order early can help avoid delays later on. Consider speaking to a solicitor or conveyancer now and start gathering documents you’ll need, such as guarantees for any building work carried out on your home or safety certificates for your latest boiler service or chimney sweep.

5. Speak to an estate agent and agree a realistic asking price

A good local estate agent will be able to give you an informed view of your property’s value, explain current market conditions and advise on what buyers are looking for in your area. It can be tempting to aim high, but setting a realistic asking price from the outset is important if you want to generate interest and attract serious buyers.

According to Rightmove’s most recent research, 34 per cent of properties on the market have undergone an asking price reduction, which shows the importance of getting it right the first time. Your agent can also advise on how best to present your home, arrange photography and plan your marketing so everything is ready to go in time for you to take advantage of the January rush.