Take Stock

It's Christmas time, a New Year looms - time to take stock of what's happening.

If you want to sell your house this year, do it in the first half of the year - ideally in the Spring. Around the General Election and after the housing market is expected to dip. So sell in Spring and rent until the market is settled - or has indeed dipped. Mind you, the predictions for 2009 was that the second half of the year would see continued falls but instead prices bounced back. Still, if you're renting (or staying with family or friends) you're a cash buyer, you can move quickly and aren't in a chain - so you can usually make a low offer. Even lower if you get a place that needs a bit of work. RenovateAlerts.com have found a 2 bed flat in London E7 for £100k.

Decide what you want to do over the Christmas holiday and then make your move in the New Year. Happy Christmas.