If you're thinking of selling in the new year, December is the time to get everything in place for putting your home on the market when buyer activity picks up.

With a break from work to finesse your presentation and a quieter month to get valuations from agents and find your perfect match, there are lots of advantages to starting the ball rolling now.

And by getting ahead of everyone else so you’re ready to go on your ideal launch date, you'll avoid the heavily booked New Year diaries of photographers and agents that can delay getting started.

With that in mind, we've put together an action plan to help you make the most of December and the festive season, with tips on being hot to trot for selling in the new year. So let’s see why it’s the time to:

Make an agent shortlist.
Get your home valued now.
Choose your favourite agent.
Plan your launch and strategy.
Prepare your home to sell.

By taking a few steps now, you can launch your home with a polished profile, pristine presentation, and a perfectly pitched price to get New Year buyers knocking at your door.

MAKE AN AGENT SHORTLIST

There are plenty of estate agents in the Wilton and Salisbury area to choose from, and to whittle them down to a select few to value your home, it’s wise to run a few preliminary checks, including:

Searching online for agents marketing homes like yours and, even better, who appear to have made recent similar sales.
Going undercover as a potential buyer to see how soon they respond and the way they communicate – are you dealing with an enthusiastic and switched-on person?

Reading Google reviews; board-spotting to see which agents are active nearby; maybe even popping a note through a selling neighbour’s door to ask about the service they’re getting.

All of this should help you narrow down your search to the agents who are not only the best at what they do, but also the best for you, and without wasting time on the ones who fall short.

GET YOUR HOME VALUED NOW

Valuations are your first real insight into the local market and demand for your home, so book them now to understand your likely sale price and future budget. Things to look out for when agents visit include:

Being interested in your home and your plans. Do they sit down and listen to your story, or just talk about themselves and then leave after 15 minutes?
A valuation that stacks up against real-world evidence of similar sold homes. A flattering price might give you a feel-good rush, but that sweet moment will sour when reality bites.

Their strategy for selling your home in the first month, when you’re likely to get the most response and the highest price. And in case you don’t, what’s their plan for a second push?

Suggestions for making your home more saleable and adding extra value. If an agent has none, ask them why. Some are afraid they'll cause offence, but you need to know.

By comparing and judging every agent on the same basis, whether they're independent or corporate, you can see beyond the sales pitches and make a decision based on your own terms.

CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE AGENT

After you’ve met a few agents, you’ll usually have a favourite. That instinct is often right, and you can make sure you’re making the best decision with a little scrutiny into the following criteria:

Inspiring marketing. Would you accept second-rate photos, a dull description with spelling mistakes, and a lack of vital information? Make first-class promotion a non-negotiable.
Excellent knowledge of homes like yours, your nearby streets, the neighbourhood at large, your target market, and whether any local plans will affect demand.

Clarity around service standards, how often they’ll stay in touch, and your point of contact, so you know you won’t be left in the dark or passed around people you don’t know.

When you add everything together, your choice should be someone you’re not just confident entrusting your home to, but also who you like the idea of speaking to for the months ahead.

PLAN YOUR LAUNCH AND STRATEGY

With your favourite agent selected and instructed, it’s time to plan your home launch and strategy so that selling in the new year starts with making a splash when you hit the market.

Set a date for going live. Discuss how to make the most of your launch, whether an open day or evening is a good idea for your home, and how your agent intends to conduct viewings.
Agree your asking price. It may sound obvious, but remember that selling is the prime objective – languishing on the market for months on end is not the way to the highest price.

Check your agent’s description thoroughly, and keep an eye on the weather forecast in case of an approaching sunny day – a blue sky will brighten up your winter photos.

If you sort all of this in December, you’ll have your marketing and strategy in place for your launch, leaving you free to focus on the final touches to perfect your home’s presentation.

PREPARE YOUR HOME TO SELL

The festive season provides the unique combination of time to prepare for selling in the new year and January-sale bargains for snappy styling touches. Make a start with this checklist:

Begin by decluttering, fixing minor repairs, and arranging your rooms to maximise the feeling of space, light, and cosiness, which could mean storing or selling some furniture.
Go shopping for textiles. Cushion covers, throws, bed linen and bath towels are quick and cost-effective wins for a swift refresh and adding a dash of luxe.

Inject your garden or balcony with some winter magic: think all-weather rugs and cushions, festoon lights, storm candles, and seasonal-flowering plants in pots for instant colour.

We've written lots on this subject, including Four Ways to Declutter, Late-Year Gardening, and The Power of Professional Photos, all designed to boost your saleability and selling price – why not take a look?

Are you selling in the new year?

Then now’s the time to plan. Demand for homes in the Wilton and Salisbury area always picks up after the holidays, and if your agent, home and marketing are all set and raring to go, you’ll be in pole position for a sale.

A December valuation is your first step to securing a motivated New Year buyer, so call us on 01722 580 059 or email us at info@piccoloproperty.co.uk to start preparing your move for success!