BLOG: Love at First Viewing – Finding a Home You’ll Fall ForLove at First Viewing? Finding a Home You’ll Truly Fall ForValentine’s Day is all about love, commitment, and finding “the one”. And believe it or not… buying a home isn’t that different.Just like dating, the journey to finding the right property can involve excitement, disappointment, compromise — and then, suddenly, that moment where everything just clicks.At SA Property, we see it every day. Buyers walk into a house and instantly know: this is the one.First Impressions MatterWe all know the feeling — first impressions count.In property terms, that’s kerb appeal, layout, natural light, and how the home makes you feel the moment you step through the door. Sometimes it’s not about square footage or numbers on paper; it’s about whether you can picture yourself living there.If it feels right, that’s worth paying attention to.The Chemistry TestSome houses look perfect online… but in person, the spark just isn’t there.And that’s okay.Other times, a property surprises you. It feels warm. Comfortable. Like home. That’s the chemistry you’re looking for — the feeling that this could be the place where memories are made.Compromise vs Deal-BreakersEvery relationship involves compromise — and buying a home is no different.Maybe it’s not the biggest garden, or the kitchen isn’t quite what you imagined (yet). The key is knowing your deal-breakers versus the things that can be improved over time.The right home doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be right for you.Thinking Long-TermA home is a commitment.It’s about more than today — it’s about how it fits your life in the years ahead. Space to grow, location, lifestyle, resale potential. When those boxes align, you’re not just buying a house… you’re building a future.When You Know, You KnowWe hear it all the time: “As soon as we walked in, we knew.” That’s love at first viewing.And when it happens, it’s worth acting on. The right home doesn’t stay available for long.Finding “The One”This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re actively searching or just starting to browse, remember: the right property is out there.And when you find it — you’ll feel it.If you’re looking for a home you’ll genuinely fall in love with (not just one that looks good on paper), we’d love to help you find it. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at SA Property 

Throwback to 2015  Back when the boards looked like this… Three houses. All next door to each other. At the time, I had what I thought was the ideal situation — three properties, side by side, all for sale with SA Property. All I wanted was to get them sold and line up three SOLD boards next to each other. That felt like success. It didn’t quite work out that way. But looking back now, I realise I might have been chasing the wrong thing. Is having lots of boards up actually a sign you’re selling houses — or a sign you’re marketing houses well? Do you need to rush to get the SOLD sign on as quickly as possible, or do you need to maximise exposure, enquiries and conversations first? What those three houses did bring was something far more valuable: A huge number of enquiriesViewings bookedConversations with buyers who also had properties to sellWord-of-mouth recommendations People saw the boards. People talked. People rang us. And many of those conversations turned into future instructions and long-term clients — opportunities that wouldn’t have happened if those boards hadn’t been there in the first place. Fast forward 10 years. It’s January. The longest month of the year. Self-employed. Tax return due. Motivation tested  And yet, here we are. January so far: • 16 valuations • 7 new instructions • 7 sales agreed • 7 completions Those three houses didn’t give me the photo I wanted in 2015 — but they helped build the foundations for where we are today. The long game matters.

“New to the Market” in January? What Sellers Should Watch Out for in the New Year Every January, the property market resets. Buyers return after Christmas, portals fill up, and suddenly there’s a surge of homes labelled “new to the market”. But here’s the question sellers should be asking: Are they really new — or simply re-labelled? At SA Property, we believe the New Year is the perfect time to talk about what “new” actually means, and why it matters to your sale. Why January sees so many “new” listings The start of the year is a natural reset point. It’s common for: Unsold properties to be withdrawn before Christmas Agents and sellers to regroup Marketing to restart with fresh energy There’s nothing wrong with this. A well-planned relaunch in January can be very effective. The issue isn’t relaunching — it’s how it’s described. When “new to the market” becomes misleading If a property was already marketed last year and didn’t sell, describing it as: “New to the market” “Brand new listing” can give buyers the wrong impression. Many buyers interpret “new” as: The price hasn’t been tested Demand hasn’t yet been explored They’re seeing it before anyone else In reality, that may not be the case — and that’s where problems start. Why accuracy and compliance matter Estate agents are legally required to market property in a way that is clear, accurate and not misleading. This falls under UK consumer protection legislation and is enforced by organisations such as Trading Standards. Even well-intended wording can become an issue if it creates a false impression — particularly at a time of year when many properties are being reintroduced. Why this matters to you as a seller Misleading marketing rarely helps a sale. In fact, it can: Make buyers cautious when they realise a property has been listed before Undermine confidence in the asking price Lead to tougher negotiations Extend time on the market Today’s buyers are more informed than ever. Many monitor portals closely and remember properties they’ve already seen. Honest marketing builds trust — and trust drives stronger offers. What sellers should look out for this January As the New Year listings appear, it’s worth asking your agent: Has my property been marketed before? If so, how will it be described this time? What has genuinely changed since the last launch? Clear, compliant wording includes: “Re-launched with a revised price” “Back on the market following improvements” “Now repositioned for today’s market” These phrases are transparent, accurate and effective — without misleading buyers. Our approach at SA Property We don’t believe in relabelling for the sake of it. If a property is relaunched in the New Year, we explain: Why it’s being reintroduced What’s changed How that benefits the sale This approach protects sellers, reassures buyers, and creates a stronger foundation for negotiation. Final thought As January unfolds, you’ll see plenty of properties described as “new”. Some genuinely are. Others… deserve a closer look. If you’re selling, the best question you can ask isn’t “How new does it sound?” — it’s “How accurate is it?” If you’d like advice on relaunching your property properly and compliantly in the New Year, we’re always happy to help.

Selling Your Home in December: Is the Festive Season a Good Time to Move? December might not sound like the ideal time to put your home on the market.Dark evenings, Christmas chaos, decorations everywhere…But the truth is, the festive season can actually be a highly effective time to sell — with the right strategy. *** Remember there is no right or wrong time to market, just whenever is right for you *** In this guide, we’ll explore: What the December property market is really like Pros and cons of selling at this time of year Whether Christmas decorations help or hurt How to stage your home for festive viewings The facts behind the Boxing Day / New Year online surge SA Property’s professional view on launching in December What Is the Property Market Like in December? Traditionally, November and early December see fewer new listings. Many sellers delay until January, which means: Less competition - Your home isn’t fighting against a long list of new properties. More motivated buyers - People who book viewings in December usually need to move — they’re not casual browsers. Your home looks its cosiest - Warm lighting, soft furnishings and (tasteful) decorations help buyers picture themselves living there. At the same time, online activity builds steadily through December before surging after Christmas — especially on Zoopla. Is December a Good Time to Sell? It can be, and for many sellers, it’s an excellent time. Advantages of Selling in December Reduced competition from other sellers Serious buyers actively looking Your property can feel its most welcoming You’re live in time for the post-Christmas surge Challenges Shorter daylight hours for photos/viewings Homes can feel more cluttered during Christmas You may feel more stretched with festive commitments None of these challenges are deal-breakers — they simply require planning. Christmas Decorations: What’s Okay for Photos? If possible, have your photos taken before decorations go up.That keeps your listing looking fresh well into January and beyond. If decorations are already up, keep them: Simple Neutral Unobtrusive Away from windows and key features Avoid: Large inflatables Flashing lights Oversized trees blocking access or light For viewings, tasteful décor adds warmth — just keep it uncluttered. Staging Tips for Festive Viewings 1. Maximise Light - Winter days are short, so brighten the space with lamps and open blinds fully. 2. Keep Things Warm but Fresh - A cosy temperature, subtle scent and tidy entrance make a strong first impression. 3. Tidy the Christmas Chaos - Use baskets or boxes to quickly clear presents, wrapping and paperwork before viewings. The BIG Question ... Should You Wait Until January Instead? Both strategies can work — it depends on your readiness and your home. *** Remember there is no right or wrong time to market, just whenever is right for you *** List in December if: Your home is clean and presentable You want to get ahead of the competition You’re ready to catch the Boxing Day / New Year surge Wait until January if: Decorations dominate the space You’re already overwhelmed The property needs a little more preparation A hybrid option is ideal for many sellers:Prepare everything in December, launch just after Christmas. Understanding the Boxing Day / New Year Online Surge There is a long-standing belief that buyer activity spikes immediately after Christmas — but is it true? According to Zoopla, yes. Zoopla’s data shows: Buyer searches typically rise by around 50% on Boxing Day compared with the run-up to Christmas In some years, traffic has increased by 70%+ in a single day January is consistently their busiest month of the year This means that having your property live just before or just after Christmas can place it perfectly for increased online exposure. You’d like to tap into the Boxing Day / New Year online surge — with Zoopla reporting that buyer searches typically jump by around 50% on Boxing Day compared with the run-up to Christmas, and in some years traffic has risen by more than 70% in a single day, it’s a window of activity that’s hard to ignore. SA Property’s Take: Would We Launch in December? Absolutely — if the home is ready and you feel comfortable, December can be a brilliant time to list. Here’s why: Less competition means your home stands out December buyers are serious, not just browsing Zoopla’s Boxing Day surge is real, and being live beforehand helps you capitalise on it Festive styling makes homes feel warm and inviting But we’ll always give honest advice. If your home is crowded with decorations, if you’re exhausted with Christmas planning, or if photos would look too “seasonal,” we may recommend preparing in December but launching just after Christmas or in early January. For us, it’s all about timing the launch to give you the best possible outcome, not rushing for the sake of it.  *** Remember there is no right or wrong time to market, just whenever is right for you *** Thinking of Selling this Winter? Whether you're planning a December launch or getting ready for early January, we can guide you through: Market timing Photo strategies Decoration/staging tips Zoopla and OnTheMarket buyer trends Your ideal launch date Get in touch with SA Property to talk through the best festive-season strategy for your home.