Is It Too Late To Sell My House Before Christmas?

Short answer: no, it is not too late to sell your house before Christmas. Across the UK, many homeowners start to wonder if the window has closed for selling before the end of the year. The truth is that winter can still be a great time to list, with motivated buyers, less competition and plenty of online activity over the festive period. Whether you are selling in Preston, Longridge, Penwortham, Garstang or anywhere else, the key is to launch your home with the right strategy and a local estate agent who understands how to market effectively in winter.

Does the property market slow down in December?

People assume that the housing market shuts down for winter. Yes, some casual browsers pause viewings when it gets dark and cold. But motivated buyers do not stop. In fact, Boxing Day is now one of the busiest points of the entire year for people starting their next move, with estate agents seeing record activity online. Rightmove reported that on Boxing Day 2024 the number of new properties coming to market jumped by 26% compared with the previous year, buyer enquiries were up 20%, and site visits surged 87% between Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

What that means for you: buyers are actively lining up their 2025 move during the Christmas break. If you are listed, you are visible. If you wait, you are invisible.

Will I get less money if I sell before Christmas?

This is one of the most common questions we hear as local independent estate agents in Preston, Penwortham, Longridge and Garstang. Sellers worry that a quiet December means they will have to slash the price. The data does not really support that.

The UK market has been stable rather than crashing. Average UK house prices are still in the £270k range, with prices holding and even edging up year on year into late 2025.

In the North West specifically, the average property price in June 2025 was around £212,000, which is roughly 5% higher than the year before.

So no, winter does not automatically mean selling at a loss. A well-presented, sensibly priced property can absolutely achieve a strong offer in December or January in our area.

Why winter can actually work in Preston, Longridge, Penwortham and Garstang

1. Less competition from other sellers. Many homeowners wait for spring, which means fewer similar houses are on the market right now. Your home has more chance to stand out in Penwortham, Longridge, Garstang or Preston because buyers have fewer choices.

2. More serious buyers. The people booking viewings in December and early January are usually not daydreaming. They are relocating for work, upsizing for family, or downsizing for retirement. They are ready to move and make decisions quickly.

3. Lifestyle-led moves are still hot in our area. Across Lancashire and the North West, buyers are still looking for good schools, outdoor space, and easier commutes. This is exactly what areas like Longridge and Garstang offer: scenery, space, and that next chapter feeling. Penwortham and Preston appeal to movers who want amenities, transport and schools without the Manchester price tag.

4. Marketing timing lines up with the Boxing Day bounce. If your home is live going into Christmas, it will be in front of the Boxing Day and New Year surge of buyers who start booking January viewings.

Should I wait until spring to list my house?

Spring traditionally has more buyers, yes. But it also has more sellers. By spring you are competing with a bigger pool of similar houses in Preston, Penwortham, Garstang and Longridge. In winter, you are competing with fewer listings and still getting in front of serious movers.

It is not just how many buyers exist. It is how visible your house is to the buyers who exist right now.

Is anyone actually agreeing sales at this time of year?

Yes. Across the North West, sales are still being agreed in late Q4 and early Q1 because buyers are planning ahead for work moves, school catchment changes and lifestyle changes in 2025.

Locally, we continue to book valuations, launch listings and negotiate offers in December and January every single year. For some homes, especially well-presented family homes in Penwortham, Longridge and Garstang, winter can actually be faster because the buyer pool is so focused.

How to make your house stand out in December and January

1. Light and warmth

Short days can make rooms feel dull. Before viewings, switch on lamps in darker rooms, warm the house properly and make sure curtains and blinds are fully open. You want cosy and loved, not cold and empty.

2. Kerb appeal still matters

In winter you cannot rely on blue skies and a perfect lawn. Clear leaves, sweep paths, jet wash the drive if it is safe to do so, and make sure the front door area looks welcoming. First impressions still sell houses in Preston and the surrounding villages.

3. Keep festive decor tasteful

A simple wreath, warm lighting and a tidy tree are fine. Cluttered tinsel explosions are not. Buyers need to see the space, not just your Christmas theme.

4. Great photography is non-negotiable

Your marketing photos might be taken on a bright morning even if most viewings happen in the dark. This matters because a lot of buyers shortlist online first, especially over Christmas when they are browsing property portals on the sofa.

Your next step: pricing it right from day one

Step 1: Get an accurate valuation. Overpricing kills momentum. Underpricing throws money away. You want to launch with confidence. Use our free expert valuation service here: /valuation.

Step 2: Launch before Christmas, not after. If your home is live going into the festive break, it will be sitting in front of thousands of people scrolling Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Step 3: Be flexible on viewing times. It gets dark early. Buyers might only be free after work. A good independent estate agent will work around that and show your home at its best, even if that means lamps on and heating up.

Quick winter sale checklist

• Book a valuation with a local independent estate agent who knows Preston, Penwortham, Longridge and Garstang, not just the national averages. Get started.
• Make sure gutters, paths and the driveway are clear, safe and tidy.
• Warm, lit and welcoming for every viewing (no cold, dark rooms).
• Keep festive decor neat and neutral so buyers can imagine living there.
• Have paperwork ready (ID, EPC, basic solicitor details) so you can move fast when an offer comes in.
• Ask your agent about marketing your home into the Boxing Day and New Year traffic spike, when buyer searches jump sharply.

Final thought: Is it too late to sell my house before Christmas?

No. It is not too late. Winter is not a waste of time. The North West market is still moving, with average prices in our region holding and even rising year on year. Buyers are out there, and they are serious. Preston, Penwortham, Longridge and Garstang remain in demand because they offer space, schools, countryside and connections.

If you want to explore selling before Christmas or positioning yourself for early 2025, the smartest first move is to get an informed local valuation. Book your free valuation and we will tell you what your home could achieve right now.

Dewhurst Homes. Independent. Local. Active all winter.