When Is the Best Time to Sell Your Home on the Isle of Wight?
Charlie Panayi • September 1, 2025
It’s one of the questions I hear most often as an agent on the Island
“When’s the best time to put my home on the market?”
Most people assume the answer is obvious. I tend to hear:
“Oh, July and August must be the best time, the Island is packed, loads of visitors are about.”
It sounds logical, but the reality is very different.
Why Summer Isn’t the Golden Window Here
The Isle of Wight is a holiday destination. July and August are peak tourist months, but not peak property months.
While you might get plenty of enquiries or casual viewings, serious buyers are usually distracted. Families are on holiday, schools are out, and people are focused on enjoying the summer. Actual offers and transactions slow down.
So despite the buzz, summer is often one of the quietest times for real sales activity on the Island.
The Real Peak: December & January
The first 8 weeks of your marketing are so important, so you want momentum, the busiest period for the Island is often December into January.
Here’s why:
- New Year, New Start – People use January as the moment to take action on the changes they’ve been thinking about. Moving home is one of them.
- Festive reflection – Over Christmas, families often realise they need more space, or conversely, that their home is now too big and it’s time to downsize.
- Life changes – Unfortunately, separations are more common in January, which creates demand for multiple properties.
And it’s not just anecdotal. Boxing Day is one of the busiest days of the year on property portals, Rightmove state boxing day has 200%+ more hits than any other day in December, with traffic spiking significantly compared to the weeks before. Serious buyers are out there, scrolling and planning their next move.
The Easter/Spring Market
The second key period is Easter and the spring months.
- Homes look their best – longer days and brighter weather make photos and viewings more appealing.
- Families planning ahead – Parents who want to move before the school summer holidays typically start their search in spring.
- Confidence in the market – There’s a natural sense of optimism as the year moves forward, which translates into action.
For Isle of Wight sellers, spring also brings interest from mainland buyers who see the Island as a lifestyle move, they’re far more likely to visit when the weather improves.
Does Timing Really Matter?
Yes...but not as much as people think.
While Boxing Day/January and Easter/spring are the busiest windows, the truth is a well-prepared home, sensibly priced and marketed properly, will sell at any time of year.
The bigger questions are:
- Is the price realistic for today’s market?
- Are the photos and details honest and appealing?
- Do you have a proactive agent who actively works your sale, or one who just lists it and waits?
Too often, sellers focus on finding the cheapest commission. In my experience (proven statistically), you get what you pay for. A proactive agent who communicates, markets hard, and drives momentum is worth far more than saving a fraction on the fee.
Final Thought
So, when is the best time to sell your home on the Isle of Wight?
- Boxing Day into January – when demand spikes.
- Easter/spring – when homes look their best and families plan moves.
But ultimately, the best time is when you’re ready. With the right preparation, marketing, and agent, your home will find a buyer.
Want to invest with me, work with me or book me to speak? Contact me on charlie@charliepanayi.com
“When’s the best time to sell my house?”
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Here are five ways pride could be limiting your success... and what you can do about it. 1. Resistance to Feedback: The Silent Growth Killer No one likes criticism. But when pride takes over, even constructive feedback feels like a personal attack . Instead of seeing feedback as a tool for improvement , many leaders see it as a challenge to their authority or expertise . Yet, research has shown that companies that actively seek feedback and foster a culture of learning outperform those that don’t. A study from Zenger & Folkman found that leaders who ask for and act on feedback are rated 86% more effective by their employees (source) . If you struggle to accept feedback, ask yourself: What if this person is right? What opportunities am I missing by ignoring this? Am I resisting feedback because of ego , or because I genuinely disagree? The moment you start separating feedback from personal identity , you unlock a whole new level of growth . 2. Fear of Vulnerability: Why Leaders Struggle to Ask for Help Many business owners and leaders feel pressure to always have the answers . They believe that admitting a mistake or asking for help is a sign of weakness . But in reality, it’s the opposite . Some of the most successful people in the world actively seek out help and mentorship . They surround themselves with advisors, peers, and experts who challenge their thinking and push them forward. If you never ask for help, you risk: Making avoidable mistakes because you didn’t seek advice Slowing down your progress by trying to figure everything out alone Burning out by carrying more than you need to The best leaders don’t go it alone... they build strong support systems and know when to reach out. 3. Stagnation from Perfectionism: The Illusion of ‘Not Ready Yet’ Pride and perfectionism often go hand in hand. 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If you shut down new ideas because they don’t align with your way of thinking , you could be missing out on game-changing opportunities . Neuroscience research suggests that leaders who expose themselves to diverse perspectives enhance cognitive flexibility and decision-making skills (source) . The fix? Stay curious . Actively seek out different perspectives . Challenge yourself to see things through someone else’s lens...bec ause that’s often where the biggest breakthroughs happen. 5 . Strained Relationships: When Pride Creates Distance A leader who always needs to be right is a leader who will struggle to build trust . When pride gets in the way, relationships suffer. Employees stop speaking up, business partners hold back ideas, and clients feel unheard. Over time, this creates a culture where collaboration is weak, communication is guarded, and progress slows down. L eaders who demonstrate humility are more effective at building high-performing teams . 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If you want to book me for a talk or work with me, reach me via charlie@charliepanayi.com
Welcome to this month’s property market update, where I break down the latest trends in the UK housing market. January has kicked off with a strong start, with positive signs across buyer demand, stock levels, and house price growth. Let’s take a closer look. Summary Annual UK house price inflation: +2.0% (up from -0.9% a year ago) Buyer demand: Up 13% year-on-year Homes for sale: 10% increase compared to January 2024 Sales agreed: 12% growth versus last year Fastest-growing region: Northern Ireland (+7.7%) Most in-demand price range: £300,000 - £625,000 (due to upcoming stamp duty changes) Buyer Demand Remains Strong The start of 2025 has seen a surge in market activity, with buyer demand up 13% year-on-year. More homes are coming to market, giving buyers greater choice, while sales agreed are also up 12% compared to the same period in 2024. The average estate agent branch now has 31 properties listed for sale...the highest number recorded in January for seven years. This increase in available stock is helping to keep the market moving and prevent excessive price spikes. I mpact of Stamp Duty Changes The April 2025 stamp duty changes are having a noticeable effect on buyer behavior, particularly among first-time buyers (FTBs). Demand has jumped by over a third in the £300,000 - £625,000 price range, as buyers try to complete purchases before the tax increase kicks in. Properties under £300,000 remain attractive, as FTBs continue to pay no stamp duty. Properties over £625,000 have seen slower demand growth, as they do not benefit from tax relief. This trend is particularly evident in London and the South East , where many properties fall into this price bracket. Regional House Price Performance While the national house price inflation sits at +2.0% , growth varies across the country: Northern Ireland: +7.7% (fastest growth) North West: +3.2% London: +1.4% South East & East: +1.0% At a local level, Wigan (+5.6%) and Motherwell (+4.9%) have seen the strongest house price growth over the past year. Earnings vs. House Prices: A Positive Shift For the second consecutive year, wage growth is outpacing house price inflation. Annual earnings are rising by 5% , while house prices have increased by 2% , improving affordability for buyers. With mortgage rates stabilising in the 4-5% range , this trend is expected to continue throughout 2025, making home-ownership more accessible for those looking to buy. Outlook for 2025 The market has started 2025 on a solid footing, with positive signs for both buyers and sellers : House prices forecast to rise by +2.5% in 2025 Total property sales expected to increase by 5% to 1.15 million Affordability to improve as incomes rise and interest rates stabilise While some short-term activity is being driven by buyers looking to beat the stamp duty deadline, a strong pipeline of demand suggests the market will remain resilient throughout the year. Final Thoughts With buyer demand up, more homes for sale, and affordability slowly improving, 2025 is shaping up to be a healthier market for property transactions. If you’re considering buying or selling, now may be a great time to explore your options. If you want to learn more about property, or book me to speak - reach out to me via www.charliepanayi.com
