Choosing the best time of year to sell may not always be possible as personal circumstances may influence the timing.

If it is possible to plan ahead, choosing Spring to market a property is traditionally perceived to be a popular time for buying holiday homes. As the weather improves, the temperature rises and the evenings become lighter, many prospective buyers will be looking to acquire a second home for use in the summer. Being able to exchange and complete in time for summer usage will be an attractive requirement for a potential buyer.

Alternatively selling in the Autumn, after a summer of use, may seem less logical as a potential buyer may not wish to use the property for the next 6 months. The benefit in selling from September onwards is there may be a strong pool of potential buyers looking to buy after visiting the area on holiday recently and now researching the acquisition of a holiday home.

The downside of an Autumn sale could be a higher number of properties available, increasing competition between vendors and strengthening the position of buyers.

The market for holiday homes can also be affected by owners who let their property. They are more likely to sell after the summer and the peak earning period, while investors are more likely to purchase a property in the spring when they can see a quicker return on their investment over the summer.

Seasonality varies across the country and timing can be greatly influenced by the tourist season where you are looking to buy. This may be more pronounced in summer-orientated South West England as opposed to the Lake District which welcomes visitors all year round. The influence of tourism in the area you are looking to sell in may also play a part, where strong commerce and industry may help you find a buyer looking for a property to live in.

One recommendation would be to research these issues with local estate agents where your property is. They will be able to advise on seasonal traits exist and the best approach.