February is the best month to sell a home according to a new analysis from Rightmove, which found that properties listed during the month are more likely to secure a buyer than at any other point in the year.
The research, based on millions of homes listed for sale over a 10-year period, shows that 68.9% of properties put on the market in February go on to find a buyer.
The analysis covers listings between 2014 and 2024, excluding 2020 due to the pandemic and 2025 to allow time for sales still in progress.
January and March followed closely behind, tied in second place with 68.8% of homes listed in those months successfully securing a buyer. They were followed by the traditional spring selling period of April, at 68.7%, and May at 67.7%.
MOTIVATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
While October ranked lowest in the study, Rightmove found that nearly two-thirds of homes listed in that month still found a buyer, with a success rate of 65.4%, underlining that motivated buyers are active throughout the year.
The data also revealed differences in the pace and volume of activity. January was the quickest month on average for sellers to find a buyer, taking 47 days, compared with 48 days in February.
March emerged as the busiest month overall, with the highest number of new listings, the greatest volume of buyer activity and the largest number of sales agreed.
The findings come as the government consults on reforms to the homebuying process, including plans to digitise transactions, introduce mandatory qualifications for agents and improve transparency. The proposed changes are expected to cut transaction times by around four weeks for first-time buyers.
TIGHT CONTEST
Colleen Babcock (main picture, inset), Rightmove’s property expert, says: “It’s a tight contest, but on average February is the best month to get your home sold, followed by further strong months during the upcoming and very important Spring home-moving season. Sellers who are yet to act but are considering a 2026 move might consider coming to market soon to take advantage of the increase in home-buyer activity.”
GETTING THE SYSTEM MOVING
Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, adds: “Selling a home is often about a fresh start – a bigger place, a growing family, or a new chapter – but too often the process makes it far harder than it needs to be.
“We’re making changes to the buying and selling process to get the system moving more quickly, stop transactions falling through, and remove all that unnecessary stress during what should be a really exciting next step towards their dream home.”
BUYERS NEED TO BE READY
John Baybut, Managing Director at Berkeley Shaw Real Estate in Liverpool, adds: “Outside of the usual seasonality of the UK property market, conditions are strong due to lowering interest rates.
“Despite rhetoric around the economy, the UK market has consistently performed well for decades and property continues to grow in value well over the long term.
“February is usually one of the busiest months of the year with lots of new listings for sale, so serious buyers need to be ready, with mortgages in place and their own homes sold subject to contract to be first in line for the choice of homes available.”
FULL-ON TIME
Mike Sharman, Group Managing director at Sharman Quinney, says: “The January market is typically a very full-on time with vendors looking to make their move in the forthcoming year.
“February and March are usually the months where a lot of new properties come to the market, mainly driven by early spring arriving.
“Typically, these vendors have surveyed the market, viewed a lot of properties and made a commitment to come to the market.”
CONDITIONS ARE IMPROVING
And Mary-Lou Press, President of NAEA Propertymark (National Association of Estate Agents), adds: “Many people are clearly preparing for a house sale before more people flock to the housing market once winter is over and the busier spring months begin.
“Compared to the previous few years, the conditions for buying and selling a home seem to be improving.
“Many estate agents are reporting a busier market compared to this time last year, the Bank of England’s base rate is improving, the UK Government is proceeding with homebuying and selling reforms that will help improve the process for millions of consumers, and banks are offering more affordable mortgage products, especially for first-time buyers.
“All of these factors should result in 2026 being a buoyant year for the UK’s housing market.”
