The thing about February

Although we’re a team of Surrey estate agents, we’re probably just as wary as you when it comes to seasonal property revelations based on surveys, or the latest and greatest ‘thing’ that will help sell your property (although we still stand by the aroma of freshly cooked bread, flowers and a full fruit bowl).

However, there are a couple of reasons why February 2025 might be a good month in which to sell your property that go above and beyond the statistics-led findings announced by some of the UK’s largest property companies. 

So, as we’ve opened this article with a slightly sceptical view on what the prominent property brands sometimes claim, let’s take a look at what they’ve said about the second month of the year. 

The right time according to Rightmove

According to Rightmove, the property portal giant, February is unequivocally the best time to list a property for sale. It states that properties listed in February typically find a buyer the quickest and are most likely to reach sold subject to contract status.

Rightmove adds that on average, 66.4 per cent of properties listed in February went on to find a buyer, making it the month with the best chance of finding a buyer alongside April.

As it stands, we don’t dispute this. In fact, Rightmove’s data is broadly in line with our own transaction activity. Our view is that February is far enough away from Christmas and the post-Christmas January blues, and close enough to spring for people to have got in the groove of a New Year and started thinking about a spring move (which is a season renowned for a flurry of property-related activity).

This in itself is probably enough to make February a compelling month to sell. But there is something else this February, which is specific to 2025, that may provide those in Elmbridge with extra impetus to list their property.

Changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax for first-time buyers

As of 1 April 2025, the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) threshold is changing from £425,000 to £300,000. This means that first-time buyers purchasing a house for £500,000 after 1 April 2025 will pay £6,250 more in tax than they would have done before 1 April 2025.

We are, of course, mindful of the fact that property prices in and around Cobham, Claygate and Hinchley Wood are, on average, much higher than £500,000 – but that doesn’t mean to say that there isn’t demand for them. For instance, at the time of writing we have a selection of properties valued at £500,000 and below, such as a one-bedroom apartment in Oxshott and this two-bedroom flat in Esher. 

The point is that there will be a large swathe of first-time buyers who are hoping to pay only £3,750 in SDLT on a £500,000 property this side of April rather than £10,000, which they’ll need to pay on a £500,000 property after 1 April.

Therefore, if you own a property with first-time buyer appeal, then February is the ideal month in which to list it as it provides first time buyers with a two-month window in which to purchase it. 

February 2025 could be a very busy month for very different reasons. Our advice would be to use the remainder of January to arrange a valuation, which would allow enough time for us to launch the property at the beginning of next month.

Looking for a property partner that can help you get the most out of February? Contact your local Davies Property Partners office to arrange a no-obligation valuation. 

Cobham 01932 588288

Claygate 01372 462323

Hinchley Wood 0208 3980265