
Making Your Move Before Christmas
The festive season brings unique opportunities for both buyers and renters in London’s property market. While many assume the latter part of the year is too late for property moves, savvy buyers and tenants often find this the perfect time to secure their ideal home. In fact, looking for your dream home now could mean you’re moved in and settled ready for Christmas and the new year.
Why a Property Move Now Might Work in Your Favour
Serious buyers
Autumn tends to attract buyers who are genuinely motivated. People hoping to move before year’s end, or after the busy summer holidays, usually want to complete their purchase without delay. Families, in particular, will be eager to settle before Christmas or the start of the new school term, making this a decisive season for relocations.
September is often the point when a fresh range of properties comes to market, both for sale and commercial investment, following the holiday slowdown. This gives buyers a wider choice just as activity begins to pick up again. In lettings, by contrast, the busy summer period usually means fewer properties are left available, creating a different kind of urgency for tenants and landlords alike.
An inviting backdrop
The rich colours of the season can add charm to gardens and neighbourhoods across the city, enhancing your property’s kerb appeal. Gentle autumn sunlight contributes to a warm, welcoming feel indoors. It’s also the perfect time to showcase features like fireplaces, good insulation, or efficient heating systems, which become increasingly appealing as winter nears.
Seasonal staging can help, too—think a simple wreath on the front door, cosy textiles, or subtle autumn decorations that highlight warmth and comfort to make viewers feel at home straight away. Contact Hudsons if you would like some more advice and recommendations on staging 020 7323 2277.
Savings and reduced stress
Getting started early is the best way to avoid last minute stress. It gives your solicitors more time to navigate the paperwork properly, well before the Christmas season begins and people start to lose focus on what is urgent. Forget the idea of discounts or a slower pace in autumn, that is a myth. The real advantage is time. The sooner you begin the better, especially if you are buying, as mortgage companies, local authorities, and managing agents can all introduce unexpected delays.
While spring and early summer are the busiest periods for estate agents, surveyors, and solicitors, autumn is generally calmer. This means paperwork often moves more quickly, surveys can be arranged with less waiting, and booking a removal company is simpler. Acting now makes the whole process smoother and gives you the best chance of being settled before Christmas.
For central London lettings, the process is even more streamlined and you could be in your new home within 7-10 days! So, if you’re renting in the capital, you could be in a new home by the time Santa sets off, even if you make an offer in early December!
Central London’s Hotspots
Different areas of central London present their own opportunities during the autumn season. The West End attracts a wide range of buyers from corporate professionals, professors, family money, pied a terre older money and those in the media. Marylebone area sees increased interest from families seeking premium properties for New Year fresh starts.
Depending on what you want from your new home, central London offers something for everyone, from areas with a charming village-like feel to hubs of activity that are perfect for those who want to experience everything the city has to offer, especially during the Christmas season.
Tips for a Stress-Free Move
Moving before Christmas has its benefits, but it can also be a little stressful – luckily, there are ways to make your move easier to handle. The first is to declutter early so you know exactly what you’re taking with you and aren’t moving boxes from one home to another unnecessarily. Moving before the end of the year gives you a fresh start in a new place, so it’s the perfect time to have a clear out and start 2026 afresh!
Depending on whether you’re renting or buying, you might be moving right before the festive season. So, it’s a good idea to pack an essentials box, including a few decorations and lights, so you have the key things to hand without needing to spend your Christmas unpacking everything. It’ll give your home a touch of festive cheer even if you’re still in the middle of getting organised.
Book your moving van as early as you can too, which will make you move much quicker and more efficient. As a central London estate agents, we can recommend local, reliable companies so ask a member of our team.
Likewise, use the interim period between finding your home and getting the keys to sort out utilities nearer to moving day. Having the gas, electricity, water and your internet and TV connections set up as soon after you move in as possible will make the move so much smoother and is one less thing to deal with when you’re settling in.
With serious buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords who want to wrap things up before Christmas, now is the perfect time for a move before the end of the year. Spring might be considered prime time to sell or buy a home, but you might be surprised how many advantages autumn has to offer. Embrace the cosiness of the season and start searching for your dream home today – you could find yourself with the keys before the festive season starts.
For advice and assistance in finding your perfect home, contact Hudsons Property today.