It’s no secret that I love the summer. I live in the West Country, not far from Stonehenge and Glastonbury, and while I’m not a particular believer in pageant festivals, I believe the summer months hold a magic all of their own. With the hazy days, warm evenings and the lure of sunshine, I believe the summer affects the way we buy and sell houses more than people realise.
Last year we researched how the weather affects the property market, and it transpired that first-time buyers tend to avoid temperature extremes when house hunting; they are the Goldilocks of the property market, preferring it not too hot or not too cold for viewings – opting instead to visit the pub garden or a friend’s BBQ. As you’ll know from my last musing, my sons fit the profile of aspiring first-time buyers, so with the temperature highs of late, I’m not expecting much action on the house-hunting front.
However, home sellers are motivated by the hot weather, preferring to list their homes with agents over the summer months; spurred on in part by how good their property looks in the sunshine, with gardens in bloom and colour galore. Not only that, but the longer days provide the energy and opportunity needed for people to feel inspired, take action and place offers.
As for the conveyancing world, this is one of our busiest times as we work to get people moved before the start of the new school year; allowing people to use their summer holidays for packing, moving and unpacking as they begin a new chapter in their lives. Yes the journey can be a little bit of a roller coaster ride, as activity quickens and slows with the pace of the chain, but we can guarantee our conveyancers will do their utmost to get our clients there. Completion times may vary depending on the chain and property type but on average, 12 weeks is our run rate – and as of today, our twelve weeks of summer begins (I guess you could call it our summer solstice).
We’re excited by the summer, we love the summer. So if you’d like to join our celebrations and win a cocktail making kit, hop over to twitter and share your ‘favourite summer moment so far’ with #MHMWeLoveSummer