You listed your property at the height of summer, expecting activity to be strong. But after weeks of viewings, interest has slowed, and your home still hasn’t sold. This can be frustrating, especially when everything seems to be in your favour.
The reality is that summer can be a complicated season for selling. And if your property didn’t find a buyer during this period, there’s still a clear path forward.
At Martin & Co., we’ve helped thousands of sellers overcome slow starts. This guide is designed to help you rethink your strategy, make key adjustments, and prepare for a more active and successful autumn market.
Related: 10 Tips for preparing your home for sale
Looking beyond the summer window
Summer is a season that often gives sellers high hopes. But the property market doesn’t always follow the sunshine.
- Many families travel or juggle childcare, meaning fewer serious buyers
- Longer daylight hours lead to more casual viewings, not always resulting in offers
- Increased listings during the season mean more competition for attention
- Outdoor plans and events shift focus away from major life decisions
While summer shows promise on the surface, it can also delay decision-making. The important thing now is to identify the barriers specific to your sale.
Step back and evaluate your position
Before making changes, take a moment to understand what your current listing is doing well and where it might be falling short.
Analyse viewing data, and ask your agent for a breakdown:
- How many views has the property had online?
- How many physical viewings took place?
- What was the feedback?
Compare similar homes
Have similar properties in your area sold recently? Were they priced differently? Did they offer features you didn’t?
Consider market conditions
Buyer behaviour has evolved over the past year. Zoopla reports that in July 2025, although buyer demand was up 5%, the number of homes for sale reached the highest level in six years, making it a buyer’s market.
If your property hasn’t stood out in a market full of choice, it may be time to change how you present it.
Spot the common blockers
There are several recurring reasons why a property might sit unsold. In our experience, these are the most common:
An uncompetitive asking price
Overpricing is often the biggest factor. Even a small misjudgment can filter your property out of buyer searches. According to Zoopla, listings reduced by more than 5% take nearly three times longer to sell.
Outdated or unappealing photography
If your photos were taken during high summer, they may now feel out of step with the current season. Bad lighting, cluttered shots or poor composition can also cause buyers to skip your listing.
Low visibility marketing
If your property has only been posted on major portals, you may be missing potential buyers. A multi-channel approach that includes social media, email alerts and local outreach usually gets better results.
Lack of clear buyer profile
If your listing speaks to a broad audience, it may connect with no one. A flat that would suit a young professional should be marketed differently than one for a growing family or retiree.
Related: 9 common mistakes to avoid when selling your home
Refresh your listing for autumn
The best time to make changes is just before the market picks up again, and autumn is one of the strongest seasons for property sales.
Adjust your property description
Make sure your copy reflects buyer priorities for the cooler months. Keywords such as “energy-efficient,” “home office,” “move-in ready” or “before Christmas” resonate strongly in September and October.
Update your images
Replace high-summer photos with neutral shots that feel seasonally appropriate. Photograph warm interiors, tidy outdoor spaces and make the most of soft natural light.
Include a floor plan or virtual tour
Buyers make decisions quickly. The more information you can give them upfront, the more confident they’ll feel booking a viewing.
Consider small cosmetic changes
Repaint tired walls, freshen up the hallway, declutter busy rooms. Homes that feel well-maintained are more likely to receive offers.
Position your home for the right audience
Work with your agent to refine who you’re targeting. Then ensure your listing speaks directly to them.
Is it time to revise the price?
Sometimes it’s not about the marketing. It’s about the number.
Even with great photos and a desirable location, buyers won’t engage with a property they feel is overpriced.
Ask your agent:
- What’s the average price per square foot in the area right now?
- Are offers being accepted below asking elsewhere?
- Could we reposition to fit within popular search brackets (e.g. under £350,000)?
Small tweaks can have a big impact. A £5,000 adjustment could open up your home to a wider audience.
Boost your reach and visibility
You want more people to see your home. That means going beyond the basics.
Request a portal refresh
Some platforms allow agents to “relist” a property to boost visibility. This can help reset your listing date and move your home back to the top of search results.
Use social media wisely
Ask your agent whether they’re advertising your property on Facebook, Instagram or Google. These channels are highly targeted and ideal for reaching local movers.
Get featured in newsletters
Buyers who’ve signed up for alerts are already active. Make sure your property is reaching their inbox.
Consider open houses
For the right type of property, an open day can create a sense of urgency and bring in serious viewers over a short period.
At Martin & Co., our marketing packages are built to flex. Whether you want a digital-first campaign or a more traditional approach, we’ll adapt to your area and audience.
Understand buyer psychology in autumn
The mindset of buyers in September is often different from earlier in the year.
They want to move before the holidays
Autumn buyers are typically more motivated. They’re working to a timeline and often have their finances in place.
They prefer homes that are ready to go
A turnkey property with little or no work to do is attractive to those who want to be settled before winter.
They’ve seen the summer stock
If your home didn’t stand out before, now’s your chance to reposition it with fresh marketing and energy.
Should you change your estate agent?
If your agent hasn’t updated you, advised you or supported you properly, it may be time to move on.
Ask yourself:
- When was the last time they suggested a change in strategy?
- Have they delivered on their marketing promises?
- Do they understand your goals?
Before switching, check the terms of your agreement, particularly exclusivity clauses and notice periods.
Martin & Co. offers a second opinion service with no pressure. We’ll review your current listing and offer honest feedback, even if you choose to stay with your existing agent.
Let Martin & Co. help you relaunch
A relaunch doesn’t mean starting from scratch. It means making smart changes to reposition your property.
Here’s what we can offer:
Honest advice – We tell you what’s working, and what isn’t. No jargon, no false promises.
Accurate valuations – We use local sales data, current trends and buyer feedback to help you set a competitive price.
High-impact marketing – Professional photography, compelling listings and social media campaigns that make your property stand out.
Clear communication – You’ll hear from us regularly, with updates after every viewing and progress reports throughout the sale.
National reach, local focus – With offices across the UK, we offer the best of both personal service with broad exposure.
Ready to move forward?
If summer left your sale stuck, autumn offers a clear opportunity to turn things around.
With the right guidance, presentation and pricing, your home can attract the attention it deserves.
Martin & Co. is ready to help you reset, relaunch and succeed. Book your free, no-obligation valuation now.
