Mathew Wood our resident real estate expert from Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – explains why autumn isn’t just about golden leaves and spectacular sunsets. It’s also a great time to secure a sale for your property…
Selling a property in southern Spain is a significant life decision. It’s not just a financial transaction. It’s an emotional process. A journey that involves moving on from our existing memories and preparing for a new chapter in life.
In Spain’s competitive real estate market, timing is crucial. Effective marketing is essential. This is particularly true as we head into the busy autumn months leading up to Christmas. There are many ways to spend the ‘Navidad’ holiday, with its distractions, but very few involve buying a property!
Why the autumn market is key
Autumn is a season traditionally linked to change. For many people, it’s a time to think ahead and plan for the future. This can be finding a new home, relocating for work, or investing in a holiday property.
As the nights draw in, the days cool down, and summer ends, many people are seeking real estate opportunities. Some potential buyers return from their holidays, or land in southern Spain. They are refreshed and serious about house hunting. Effective property marketing can tap into this seasonal mindset of new beginnings!
Another advantage is that many buyers want to make decisions, and close deals, before the festive season begins. This way, they can settle into their new homes by the New Year. For sellers, this autumn “window of opportunity” is a key time to attract serious, motivated, and committed buyers. This is especially true of buyers from Northern Europe, where Christmas is a big holiday event.
Autumn is, therefore, an important window of opportunity. It is time to act before the market hits the lull of “deep mid-winter”. As this crucial period approaches, you must deploy your best marketing efforts. Otherwise, when the tinsel and baubles have been packed away, it can be ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and ‘Auld Lang property’.
The consequences of hesitating
As the weeks roll towards Christmas, the market will naturally slow down. Buyers shift their focus to holiday planning, family gatherings, and parties. By January, a wave of new listings will flood the market, and your property will face greater competition. It can easily be labelled as a home that buyers have seen but already passed over.
You definitely don’t want your house to stagnate on the market in December and January – the quieter months. Buyers can see it as “the one that’s been around since last year”. And, in real estate, perception can be everything!
In real estate, time is always your enemy. The longer that your property sits on the market, the more buyers question “why”. Even if your property is in perfect condition, it starts to lose appeal. It’s simply not “new” anymore. A recent survey revealed that 77% of property buyers would avoid viewing a property listed for over six months. Many of these buyers would make a significantly lower offer!
The cost of sitting on the market over Christmas can be lower offers, from a potentially reduced pool of buyers.
The emotional challenges of changing your strategy
Sometimes, it’s not just about timing. It can be hard to admit that your current marketing strategy isn’t working. Or to acknowledge that your estate agent is less effective than you had hoped. Perhaps you feel loyal to a particular person, or don’t want to cause a fuss? Selling a home is a deeply personal experience, and it’s natural to feel uncertain about making changes.
Really, this isn’t the time for personal sentiments or guilty feelings. Selling your property is a big life decision. You owe it to yourself to make the right choices — even if that means switching agents.
Some sellers stick to a (failing) approach because it’s familiar. Deep down, there’s the niggling feeling that things aren’t right. It’s normal to worry whether you’re being “fair”, or that changes will be complicated. You’re not the first seller to feel this set of emotions! Sometimes, though, a bold move is the right decision to sell your home.
If you want to maximise autumn opportunities with a new approach, consult a real estate expert. You can make a strategy that is best for you, based on full knowledge and monitoring of market trends.
See some positive case histories – https://holaproperties.com/stories/
