it can create hesitation, and hesitation can lead to lower offers.
Clear kitchen worktops. Tidy shoes, coats and bags from the hallway. Remove bulky furniture that makes rooms feel smaller. Touch up marked walls. Replace broken lightbulbs. Fix loose handles. Clean grout and reseal around the bath or shower if needed.
The outside of the property matters too. The front door, driveway, path and garden all contribute to the first impression.
Buyers should be able to imagine themselves living there, not men- tally listing the jobs they would need to do.
4. SUMMER CAN HELP, BUT TIMING STILL MATTERS
The end of May and early June can be a useful time to go to market.
Homes are often lighter, gardens are more appealing, and some families may be thinking ahead to a move before the next school year.
As the main holiday season approaches, viewings can become harder to coordinate. Buyers go away. Sellers go away. Solicitors, surveyors and estate agents may have staff on leave. Even motivated people can become harder to pin down.
That does not mean you should rush into selling before you are ready. But if you are serious about moving this year, it is sensible to get organised before the summer holiday season is fully under way. A good property can still sell in summer, but a prepared seller is in a stronger position than one who is trying to make decisions under pressure.
5. KNOW YOUR MORTGAGE POSITION BEFORE YOU ACCEPT AN OFFER
Selling your home is not just about finding a buyer. It is also about understanding what happens next.
If you have a mortgage, you should check whether there are early repayment charges, whether your existing mortgage can be moved to a new property, and what your borrowing options may look like if you are buying again.
This is particularly important while mortgage affordability remains a key factor for buyers and sellers.
Your next move may depend not just on the price you sell for, but on what you can borrow, what your monthly payments could be,
and whether your current mortgage creates any restrictions.
A financial adviser/mortgage broker can help you understand your options before you accept an offer or commit to your next purchase.
That can include looking at affordability, potential monthly payments, product transfer options, remortgaging, porting an existing mortgage and any early repayment charges that may apply.
Having this information early can help you make more confident decisions and reduce the risk of delays once a buyer is found.
WHAT SHOULD SELLERS DO NOW?
This is not a market for panic. Homes are still selling, and many buyers remain active.
If you are thinking of selling this summer, it is worth taking a few practical steps before going live.
Speak to more than one local estate agent. Compare recent sold prices, not just asking prices. Ask how many similar homes are currently for sale. Prepare your home properly for photographs and viewings. Be realistic about what a reasonable offer may look like.
And if you are planning to buy another property, speak to a financial adviser/mortgage broker before you go too far down the road. Moneywatch Finance can help by calling 0121 503 0961.
The better prepared you are, the more control you are likely to have.
THE BOTTOM LINE The 2026 housing market is more nuanced than the headline figures suggest.
Prices have been holding up, but buyers have more choice. Homes are still selling, but sellers need to work harder to stand out. A high asking price may attract attention, but it will not guarantee a sale if buyers do not see value.
For anyone hoping to sell this summer, the message is simple. Price carefully, present well, understand your mortgage position and be ready to move when the right buyer comes along.
If you are thinking about selling and buying again, speaking to a mortgage broker early can help you understand your options before making your next move.
Moneywatch Finance are available to help with all your property & mortgage requirements on 0121 503 0961
47
For further information please contact Peter Hunt on: 0121 503 0961
www.moneywatchfinance.com
Peter is one of the panel experts for the Grand Designs live TV show and has been recognised in the Times Vouched For guide to the UK’s top rated financial advisers every year since 2019
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
THE MIDLANDS PROPERT Y GUIDE MONEYWATCH FINANCE
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