Sponsored Editorial by Aldo Sotgiu, managing director of Wards

Don’t you get fed up hearing that spring is a great time to sell?

The weather can’t seem to make up its mind, but neither can the housing market!

With the first part of 2023 seemingly changing into a buyer-focused market, many sellers may be feeling a bit bruised with too few buyers for the number of available homes. Oh, how the tables have turned!

The past few months haven’t been easy for anyone, so it’s no surprise there are fewer houses being sold than this time last year.

However, perhaps with spring comes some new rays of sunshine and some more positive thinking.

There are many more homes to choose from, which is great for buyers, many of whom are also sellers and might now be able to find that ideal next move at a better price.

Now, I’ve never been one to predict too much, but at Wards we are noticing signs that many sellers who took a step back from the market due to a lack of choice are now ready to make the move.

According to Estate Agent Today, 46% of the 653,000 properties that withdrew in 2022 are set to be coming back to the market, leading buyers, old and new, to have even more choice - and that can only be good news.

But, with every push there is a pull and sellers will have to be more realistic with pricing.

Ask for the wrong price and you’ll be waiting a long time to move, and the extra choice of homes won’t be an advantage if all you’re doing is watching other buyers leapfrogging you to the front of the queue!

Sellers may be thinking of the downside of a potentially over-saturated market, but it’s still possible to get the best price for your home by being sensible with the initial launch price and making sure the way your property is marketed helps it to stand out.

The key for sellers sits in the curve of finding the best buyer and selling your home for its best possible price.

Yes, house sale volumes have dropped and prices are being curbed, but now is as good a time as any to move. The best time to move is always when it’s right for you and should never be based on the temperature or the season!

It is important to remind ourselves the economy is still recovering and the cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll on many.

Despite this, there will always be buyers and sellers who need to move and find somewhere to live.

We’ve definitely seen that need fuelling the rental sector, which is seeing 25% more enquiries and limited rental opportunities – the complete reverse of the sales market.

Landlords may well be benefitting from much higher rental yields than they were anticipating, but this is bittersweet as they brace themselves for the potential impact of The White Paper: The Renters Reform Bill.

Its multitude of changes and legislations are set to help “strengthen the rights of renters” in the words of King Charles III and has already caused many in the private rental sector to be caught in the tricky changes and legislation.

The real message here is contemplating on how sellers, buyers and landlords alike can be prepared for the sunny days, with some showers and the occasional high winds ahead of us.

Remember there’s no such thing as bad weather, there’s only the wrong clothing! So, it’s always best to take advice and speak to professional advisors.

More details on Wards here. You can also find your local Wards estate agent on the website.