It would be easy to assume that autumn brings a pause. The clocks go back, Christmas comes into view and plenty of people decide to leave their move until the New Year.
That isn't quite what we're seeing across Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and the surrounding areas. Buyers are still looking and still talking to us. What we're noticing is that some are adapting their plans and thinking further ahead.
One of the clearest themes emerging from local buyer conversations is how early some families are starting to think about secondary school choices.
Traditionally, families might have begun looking for a property the year before their child moved schools. Now, some are starting that process two or even three years ahead, allowing more time to research locations and find a home that suits their longer-term needs.
The buying and selling process can involve several moving parts, particularly when a move needs to fit around family commitments and school admissions. Planning early can give families more flexibility, although the right timing will depend on individual circumstances.
Myles Moloney, Regional Director at Chase Buchanan, explains:
“We're seeing families thinking much further ahead about secondary school choices. Traditionally, people might have started looking the year before their child moved schools, but with transactions taking longer, we're seeing some families beginning that process two or even three years ahead. School catchments remain a huge driver of demand across our areas.”
School proximity remains an important consideration for many families looking to move. For sellers, this is a reminder that some prospective buyers may be planning well in advance rather than looking for an immediate move.
For families, starting early can provide more time to understand local admissions arrangements and compare different areas before making a decision.
As autumn turns into winter, the way buyers experience a property can change.
During the summer, gardens and outdoor spaces can be a major attraction. As the weather gets colder, attention can shift towards how the home works indoors, from the kitchen and living room to the spaces where family life takes place day to day.
Good-sized kitchens, open-plan family areas and rooms that feel comfortable and practical can all help a property appeal to prospective buyers. Gardens still matter, but the balance of priorities can change depending on the season and the needs of the household.
Myles shares his perspective:
“As we move into autumn and winter, the way people view properties changes. Gardens become less of a priority and attention turns to how families actually live inside the property. Good sized kitchens, open plan family spaces and somewhere everyone can spend time together become much bigger selling points.”
For sellers, presentation remains important throughout the year. A bright, tidy kitchen and welcoming living space can help buyers understand how a property might work for them during the colder months.
The focus is not on making outdoor space less important, but on ensuring the whole property is presented in a way that reflects how people will use it.
The approach of Christmas often encourages people to put major decisions on hold. In the property market, however, the end of the year does not necessarily mean the end of buyer activity.
Some buyers are already looking for their next home before Christmas, with a view to moving in the New Year. For these buyers, the autumn months can be an opportunity to explore the market, arrange viewings and identify suitable properties before they are ready to make their move.
Myles explains:
“There's always a temptation to put things off until after Christmas, but we're having conversations with buyers who want to find their next home before Christmas, with a view to moving in the New Year. It's important to understand as people don't necessarily stop looking just because they're not planning to move this side of Christmas.”
This distinction matters for sellers. Buyers who are not planning to move immediately may still be actively searching and considering properties now.
Listing in autumn can therefore put a property in front of people who are already exploring their options. The right time to sell will depend on the property, local demand and the seller's own circumstances, but waiting until January is not the only option.
The Budget on Wednesday 28 October will bring further details of the government's proposed Your First Home scheme, which is designed to help eligible first-time buyers purchase qualifying new-build properties.
The scheme is expected to allow buyers to put down a deposit of 2.5%, supported by a 20% government-backed equity loan. Eligibility criteria, local property-price caps and implementation details are still to be confirmed.
The main focus is on making new-build homes more accessible to first-time buyers. While this could support demand for eligible properties, the effect on the wider resale market is less clear. Some buyers who might otherwise have considered an existing flat or starter home could choose a qualifying new build instead, although the extent of any change in demand remains uncertain.
For the local property market, the important thing will be how the scheme works in practice, which properties qualify and how many buyers are able to use it. Until the full details are confirmed, it is too early to draw firm conclusions about its impact on resale prices or the wider housing market.
Taken together, these local observations suggest that some buyers are adapting their plans rather than simply putting them on hold.
Families are thinking further ahead about schools and where they want to live. Buyers are considering how a property will work for everyday life throughout the year. Others are using the weeks before Christmas to find their next home, with a view to moving in the New Year.
Myles sees a positive message in these changing priorities:
“Hopefully that gives you a few angles to work with. I think there's a positive story to tell around how people are adapting their plans and still moving rather than simply putting them on hold.”
The market will not look the same for every property or buyer, and individual circumstances will always influence the timing of a move. But the seasonal slowdown often associated with autumn does not mean everyone has stopped looking.
For anyone considering a sale this autumn, a few straightforward steps can help make the most of the opportunities available.
Kitchens, living rooms and family spaces deserve as much attention as gardens during autumn and winter viewings. Good lighting, a tidy layout and a welcoming atmosphere can help buyers picture themselves living in the property.
Not every prospective buyer will be looking to move straight away. Families planning around secondary school choices may start their search well in advance, so accurate information about the location and relevant school admissions arrangements can be useful.
Buyers continue to explore their options at different times of the year. Listing in autumn may help a property reach people who want to find a home before Christmas or prepare for a move in the New Year. Whether it is the right time to sell will depend on current local conditions and individual circumstances.
Recent comparable sales, competing properties and local demand are important when setting an asking price. An accurate valuation helps establish realistic expectations and gives buyers a clearer basis for making an offer.
The property market does not simply stop in autumn. Buyers and sellers have different priorities, and plans often depend on family commitments, finances and the right property becoming available.
For homeowners considering a move, understanding the local market and getting advice based on current evidence can help make the process more straightforward.
At Chase Buchanan, our focus is on clear, practical guidance that reflects what is happening across Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and the surrounding areas.
Whether a move is planned for the coming months or still taking shape, our team can help buyers and sellers understand their options and decide on the next step.
Thinking of selling? Contact us to arrange a sales valuation.