February has been identified as the optimal month to list your home for sale, as per findings from Rightmove. A recent study on house sales reveals that 68.9% of properties put on the market in February successfully secure a buyer.
Following closely behind, both January and March share the second spot, with 68.8% of listed homes finding buyers on average in these months. Subsequently, April takes third place with a rate of 68.7%, followed by May at 67.7%.
On the contrary, October ranks lowest on the list, with 65.4% of homes listed during this month eventually selling. It typically takes an average of seven months to finalize a home sale transaction.
The analysis by Rightmove examined millions of properties listed for sale from 2014 to 2024, excluding 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The year 2025 was also omitted to accommodate properties listed later in the year that are still awaiting buyers.
January emerges as the swiftest month for securing a buyer, with an average of 47 days, closely trailed by February at 48 days. March stands out as the month with the highest number of newly listed properties and the most overall sales agreements on average.
According to Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, February stands out as the prime month to sell a home, with strong performance expected during the forthcoming Spring home-moving season. Sellers contemplating a move in 2026 are advised to consider listing their properties soon to leverage the heightened buyer activity.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasizes the importance of streamlining the buying and selling process to reduce transaction delays and alleviate stress for individuals transitioning to their dream homes. John Baybut, Managing Director at Berkeley Shaw Real Estate in Liverpool, notes the current robust conditions in the UK property market, attributing the strength to declining interest rates and the consistent long-term growth of property values.
February typically witnesses a surge in new listings for sale, making it crucial for serious buyers to be prepared with pre-arranged mortgages and existing homes under contract to secure their preferred properties promptly, as advised by Mike Sharman, Group Managing Director at Sharman Quinney.