Zoopla reveals the selling mistake that can instantly knock £28,869 off your house price

When it comes to getting the best price for your home, timing is an important (yet often overlooked) factor.

According to new research from Zoopla, listing at the wrong time could knock thousands off a property’s value — and the drop is even more significant if it has certain features.

The study asked over 100 UK estate agents how much they’d market various three-bed houses for depending on the time of year, measuring their answers against the current median asking price of £324,000.

Properties with south facing or sunny gardens were valued £5,832 (1.8%) higher in the summer, while balconies commanded £4,018 (1.25%) more between May and August compared to other seasons.

Those with swimming pools, hot tubs, outdoor entertaining space, and air conditioning also ended up with higher price predictions in the warmer months, achieving an extra £5,897 (1.82%), £2,819 (0.87%), £5,378 (1.66%) and £4,925 (1.52%) respectively.

Based on the figures, a home with every single one of these sought-after seasonal attributes could potentially fetch a whopping £28,869 more if sellers wait for sunnier climes to start the process.

On the opposite side, some things are decidedly more attractive in winter; for example, a cosy wood-burning fireplace, which adds an average of £4,568 (1.41%), an Aga-style range cooker which adds £3,337 (1.03%) or underfloor heating which boosts the price by £3,985 (1.2%).

And when the agents were shown one very specific example – the iconic wintry cottage that featured in The Holiday – they claimed it’d expect to sell for a huge £29,853 more in winter vs summer. 

Not only does this show how vital it is for sellers to finding the right moment to list though, it can also help buyers save large amounts — all by choosing places with ‘out of season’ features. 

Among homeowners surveyed Zoopla, two thirds of those who bought during spring or summer and nearly half of those who purchased in winter say they were drawn to seasonal aspects of the property.

Of this group, 85% believe they paid more for the home as a result, with the estimated extra spend coming in at £27,000 each.

According to Claire Carter, country house associate director at John D Wood & Co, it’s all about playing up to a property’s seasonality in the marketing.

‘A roaring fire on a cold winter’s day or a glorious garden in summer can absolutely tip a buyer’s decision,’ she explains.

‘The time of year matters hugely for presentation, for example, a house photographed in January looks completely different by May.

‘When selling in winter, I always encourage my clients to light the fire and turn on the underfloor heating because nobody wants to feel chilly on a viewing. During summer, it is all about showing the house in its element with blooming gardens, blue skies, and sun-dappled terraces.’

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