How to sell your London home quickly during the Summer

Historically, early summer has always been the best time to put a property on the market, and that applies to London as much as it does anywhere else.

After all, the clear skies and maximum daylight hours will provide optimal flexibility for viewings while showcasing your home at its best. And with fewer people typically selling up during the summer holidays, when many are away, your property could well stand out more, with fewer competitors vying for buyer attention.

At the same time, those buyers who are actively looking to purchase a property are often more serious and motivated. Some, for example, may be keen to complete ahead of the new school year.

The summer can also be a good time year to sell up if you have a well-maintained garden or outdoor area which, in any event, will always be a key selling point in the London market.

This market is not without its challenges – Forbes recently reported that London has seen the slowest rate of price growth, with the yearly increase in the year to March 2025 standing at 0.7%. At the same time, the end of the stamp duty ‘holiday’, which saw the tax return to normal rates on March 31, may slow down the pace of buyer activity.

However, in a market in which reduced mortgage rates and rental reforms are shaping the dynamics of demand, you’ll need to combine smart pricing with outstanding presentation and a razor-sharp strategy.

Top tips for selling your property at speed

• Price with logic rather than emotion

Overpricing is a common reason for a sluggish sale. Buyers today will compare sold prices and not just listings. So research similar properties to yours that have sold recently, ideally within a radius of no more than a quarter of a mile. Get a feel for those places which are being snapped up. Adjust your price according to its condition, EPC rating, how long remains on the lease (if applicable) and its layout.

The right price will generate urgency, attract multiple bids and give you greater leverage and bargaining power, so don’t be unrealistic about what you put your property on the market for. You may need to be prepared to be flexible – and let your estate agent advise.

• Timing is everything

The first 10 days on the market are critical, and timing is key to a strong launch. If you list midweek, you catch those wanting to view places in time to plan their weekends. Where possible, avoid launching your sale in late July or August, i.e. the peak school holiday time. Offer off-market previews to serious prospective buyers via your estate agent’s database.

Timings also mean being flexible with regard to when you are prepared for viewings to take place, and being prepared for people to be shown round at evenings and weekends.

• All your home’s a stage …

Home staging is the process of preparing a place for sale and enhancing its appeal to prospective buyers. It includes (but is not limited to) decluttering, cleaning, and sometimes redecorating or rearranging furniture. (It’s not about major renovations.) Its aim is to help those who look around your property to picture themselves living there, so that they’re more likely to make an offer. Your high-quality photos or virtual tours have caught potential buyers’ attention – now follow that up with a beautifully staged property!

Call in the professionals to do the job and you’re likely to get a quicker sale at a higher price while increasingly your home’s appeal to potential buyers. Even if you’re not calling in the pros, sort out any and all minor repairs before listing your property. At McGlashans Interiors, we offer specialist home staging services throughout Central London.

• Work with the right agent

You need an agent who has strong insights into your local market, and who can navigate the complexities of the London property sector. This will definitely help you to have a speedy sale. 

Swift transactions this summer with McGlashans

At McGlashans, we’re a family-run estate agents specialising in executive properties across central London, and we’ve been going since 1988. We have a deep knowledge of property in the heart of the city and embrace old-fashioned values of trust, integrity and honesty.

We know that each of our sales is unique, and so tailor our approach differently to each one. What’s more we’ll be with you every step of the way throughout the process from start to finish.

Browse our website and be in touch if you have any queries.