Selling This Spring? Here’s How to Get Ahead of the Competition

Spring has long been considered one of the busiest times of year for the property market, and 2026 looks no different.

Longer days, better weather, and renewed buyer motivation after winter all contribute to a seasonal uplift in listings and enquiries. But while spring can mean more buyers, it also means more competition.

If you’re planning to sell your home in March, April or May, preparation is everything. Here’s how to position your property ahead of the pack - and maximise your chances of securing the right offer.

Why Spring Attracts More Buyers

There are several reasons buyer activity tends to increase at this time of year:

• Families want to move before the new school year in September
• Homes show better in natural light
• Gardens and outside space look more appealing
• Buyers often feel more motivated after the slower winter months

Mortgage rates have also stabilised compared to the volatility of recent years, and while affordability remains important, many buyers are adjusting to the “new normal” in borrowing costs.

All of this creates opportunity, but only for sellers who approach the market strategically.

First Impressions Matter More Than Ever

With more properties launching in spring, buyers will have more choice. That means your listing needs to stand out immediately. Launching with a featured listing in the first week can help your property stand out while buyer activity is at its peak.

Before going live:

• Declutter surfaces and remove excess furniture
• Deep clean kitchens, bathrooms and windows
• Let in as much natural light as possible, so open the curtains or lift the blinds
• Tidy up gardens, even if it’s just mowing the lawn, sweeping the patio and making sure that the lead-up to the front door is clear and appealing for that first impression

Professional photography is particularly important in spring, when brighter images can make a property feel more spacious and inviting. A well-presented home doesn’t just attract more clicks, it can also justify a stronger asking price. In competitive markets, properties with professional photography and premium listing placement often secure stronger early enquiry levels.

Taking Your Own Property Photos? Here’s How to Get It Right

While professional photography can make a noticeable difference - particularly in a competitive spring market - many sellers will choose to take their own photos. If that’s you, a few small adjustments can dramatically improve your results.

Here are some practical tips:

Use Natural Light: Take photos during the brightest part of the day. Open curtains fully and switch off interior lights where possible to avoid colour distortion. Natural light makes rooms feel bigger and more inviting.

Shoot at Chest Height: Avoid extreme angles. Hold your phone or camera at chest height and keep it level. This creates a more realistic, balanced view of the room.

Clear the Frame Before you take each photo, scan the edges of the shot. Remove bins, cables, pet bowls, laundry baskets and excess personal items. Less really is more.

Use the Best Camera Available: Most modern smartphones are perfectly capable - but make sure:

• The lens is clean
• HDR mode is switched on: HDR (High Dynamic Range) helps balance bright windows and darker corners, so rooms don’t look blown out or gloomy.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app
2. Tap the small HDR icon at the top of the screen
3. Make sure it’s set to On (or enable Smart HDR in Settings)

On Android:

1. Open the Camera app
2. Tap Settings (usually a cog icon)
3. Look for HDR or HDR Auto and switch it on

If you’re unsure, a quick search of your phone model plus “how to turn on HDR” will show you exactly where it is.

Don’t use digital zoom: Digital zoom simply crops the image and reduces quality, which can make rooms look grainy and distorted online.

Instead of zooming:

• Physically step backwards to fit more into the frame
• Stand in a corner to capture the full room
• Use the standard 1x lens rather than pinching to zoom

If your phone has multiple lenses (0.5x, 1x, 2x):

• Use 1x for most shots
• Use 0.5x (wide) carefully - but avoid standing too close, as this can distort walls and furniture

Never rely on the zoom to “make a room look bigger”. It usually has the opposite effect.

Aspect Ratio Matters: Don’t Let Rightmove Crop Your Home:

When your property appears on the property portals, the first image is everything. It’s what buyers see in search results before they even click.

Rightmove recommends:

• 1024 x 683 pixels
• 3:2 aspect ratio
• JPEG or PNG format
• Ideally under 3MB per image
• Between 7 and 30 photos per listing - and remember, your first 10 images are included.

If you upload a portrait (vertical) image, it will automatically be cropped to fit the landscape frame - often cutting off the roof, driveway or key features. That can make your home look awkward or incomplete in search results.

Always take your main image in landscape orientation.

Put Your Strongest Rooms First:

Buyers scroll quickly through listings. That means your first few photos need to grab attention immediately.

Your opening image should usually be:

• The front exterior (well-framed and bright), blue sky if possible, or
• Your strongest internal feature, if that’s what sets the home apart

After that, prioritise your best-selling spaces.

If you have any of the following, then show them early in your photo reel:

• A newly renovated kitchen
• A standout bathroom [think waterfall shower, roll-top bath…]
• A bright open-plan living area
• Bi-fold doors onto the garden

Less impressive rooms (utility rooms, box rooms, storage areas) can appear later in the sequence. Think of your listing as telling a story. Lead with what makes someone want to book a viewing.

Don’t Forget Outside Space:

Spring is when gardens shine. Even a small patio can look attractive with a tidy sweep and a few simple touches like fresh pots or cushions.

If you’d prefer a polished, professionally shot look, Emoov offers an optional professional photography service that can help your listing stand out even more in busy periods. It’s entirely your choice - but in a competitive market, strong visuals can make a measurable difference to enquiry levels.

Price Right From Day One

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make in busy periods is overpricing.

It’s tempting to “test the market” when demand is strong. However, most properties generate their highest levels of interest within the first two weeks of going live. That initial launch window is when your listing appears as “new”, alerts are triggered to registered buyers, and curiosity is at its peak.

If a property is priced too high and requires a reduction later, momentum can be lost. Buyers often assume there’s an issue - or they wait to see if further reductions follow.

Launching at a realistic, well-researched price doesn’t mean underselling. It means making the most of the critical early exposure period, when you’re most likely to attract serious offers.

By starting at the right price, you will generate early interest, which often leads to:

• More viewings in the first two weeks
• Increased competition between buyers
• A stronger negotiating position

Properties that sit on the market too long can quickly lose momentum, and price reductions later can raise questions.

If you’re unsure, look closely at:

• Recent sold prices (not just current listings)
• Time on market for similar homes
• How many comparable properties are launching locally

Realistic pricing isn’t underselling, it’s strategic positioning.

Be Prepared for Viewings

Spring buyers tend to move quickly, especially if they’ve been searching since January.

Make sure you are ready to accommodate viewings, including evenings and weekends. Flexibility can significantly increase your chances of securing an offer.

Before each viewing:

• Open windows briefly to freshen the air
• Turn lights on if needed - even during the day - especially lamps or wall-lights
• Remove pet items [and pets] where possible
• Tidy away children’s toys
• Secure valuables and paperwork

If you’re conducting viewings yourself, be welcoming but give buyers space to look around comfortably. Answer questions honestly and be prepared to discuss practical details such as council tax band, utility costs and any recent improvements.

Understand the Current Market Conditions

Spring may bring more buyers, but it also brings more listings. In a competitive market, standing out is less about hype and more about smart positioning from day one. Buyers remain price-sensitive. Many will still be factoring in higher mortgage costs and careful budgeting. That means:

• Energy efficiency matters more
• Ongoing maintenance concerns can put buyers off
• Clear information and transparency build trust

If your property has a strong EPC rating, a recent boiler installation, or updated insulation, make sure that’s highlighted in your listing.

Small Improvements Can Deliver Big Returns

You don’t need a full renovation before selling, but targeted improvements can make a difference:

• Fresh neutral paint in high-traffic areas
• Replacing tired sealant in bathrooms
• Fixing minor defects like dripping taps or loose handles
• Updating light fittings for a more modern feel

Buyers in 2026 are cautious. A well-maintained property reassures them and reduces the likelihood of price negotiations later.

Why Spring Suits DIY Sellers

High-activity months can work particularly well for sellers using a fixed-fee platform.

When demand rises, you benefit from:

• Increased portal traffic
• More buyer enquiries
• Greater exposure without percentage-based commission

Because you’re in control of your listing, communication and viewings, you can respond quickly - which is crucial in competitive markets.

Spring doesn’t just bring more buyers; it rewards sellers who are organised, realistic and ready.

Our Final Thoughts

Yes, spring is traditionally a strong time to sell - but success isn’t automatic.

The sellers who achieve the best results are those who:

• Prepare thoroughly
• Price strategically
• Present their homes at their absolute best
• Photograph properly
• Visible across the major portals
• Respond quickly to buyer interest

If you’re considering listing your property in the coming weeks, now is the time to get everything ready.

With the right preparation, spring 2026 could be your ideal window to move.

Useful links

• How to sell your house online - step-by-step
• Selling your home - what you’ll need to have ready (EPCs, forms, certificates)
• How long does it take to sell a house?
• The ultimate guide to adding value to your home
• More seller guides

Image is from a property for sale February 2026. A Grade 2 listed period home with outstanding sea and estuary views. For more details see here.