The best time of year to buy a house in the UK's biggest cities - and it's not what your estate agent might tell you
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Conventional wisdom says spring is the best time of year to buy a house - but history suggests that you might be better off during the summer.
A Mirror investigation has analysed 10 years worth of house buying data from the Office for National Statistics to work out when you should be looking to buy property across the country.
And while estate agents will tell you that spring is the most popular time of year to sell houses, offering buyers more choice, the data
shows that this usually isn't the case.
In fact, summer has seen more houses bought and sold in England and Wales than spring for eight of the past 10 years - and the most out of any season for six of those.
In comparison, spring has only seen the most sales throughout the year on two occasions - although last year was one of those.
In 2016, 238,211 residential properties were sold in England and Wales between March and May, compared to 237,382 houses in June to August.
However, this was a rarity. Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 20,1654 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 257,515 sales seen over summer.
The same is true across most parts of the country, although in some cases autumn beat summer to come out on top more often.
So, wherever you want to move to, if you’re looking to find the perfect home you won’t necessarily see the widest variety of properties on offer in March, April and May.
However, if price is more important to you, you’re probably better off looking during off-peak times of year anyway, such as in the winter.
While there’ll be less to choose from, there will also be less competition.
The best times to buy a house - by city
Liverpool
(Image: Getty Images)
In 2016, 1,540 residential properties were sold in Liverpool between March and May, compared to 1,493 houses in June to August.
However, this was a rarity. Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2014, when there were 1,182 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 1,523 sales seen over summer.
Birmingham
In 2016, 3,543 residential properties were sold in Birmingham between March and May, compared to 3,177 houses in September to November.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 2,723 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 3,624 sales seen over autumn.
The situation is slightly different nationally compared to Birmingham - although spring is still not the best time of year to buy.
Newcastle
(Image: Getty)
In 2016, 966 residential properties were sold in Newcastle between March and May, compared to houses in June to August.
However, this was a rarity. Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2014, when there were 786 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 1,052 sales seen over summer.
Hull
(Image: Getty)
In 2016, 889 residential properties were sold in Hull between March and May, compared to 815 houses in June to August.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2014, when there were 747 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 905 sales seen over summer.
Nottingham
(Image: Getty)
In 2016, 1,072 residential properties were sold in Nottingham between March and May, compared to 942 houses in September to November.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 806 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 1,153 sales seen over autumn.
Bristol
(Image: Getty)
In 2016, 1,738 residential properties were sold in Bristol between March and May, compared to 1,468 houses in June to August.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 1,729 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 2,232 sales seen over summer.
Stoke
(Image: Getty Images)
In 2016, 979 residential properties were sold in Stoke between March and May, compared to 896 houses in September to November.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 770 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 952 sales seen over autumn.
Derby
(Image: EyeEm)
In 2016, 918 residential properties were sold in Derby between March and May, compared to 752 houses in June to August.
However, this was a rarity. Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 818 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 1,017 sales seen over summer.
Coventry
(Image: Getty)
In 2016, 1,046 residential properties were sold in Coventry between March and May, compared to 905 houses in June to August.
However, this was a rarity. Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2013, when there were 807 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 1,112 sales seen over summer.
Bath
(Image: Moment RM)
In 2016, 828 residential properties were sold in Bath and North East Somerset between March and May, compared to 820 houses in June to August.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2014, when there were 745 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 965 sales seen over summer.
Gloucestershire
(Image: Robert Harding World Imagery)
In 2016, 491 residential properties were sold in Gloucester between March and May, compared to 374 houses in June to August.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2015, when there were 492 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 681 sales seen over summer. The same is true nationally as well as in Gloucester.
Leicester
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
In 2016, 981 residential properties were sold in Leicester between March and May, compared to 860 houses in June to August.
Much more common was the situation that unfolded in 2014, when there were 793 homes sold in spring - much fewer than the 958 sales seen over summer. The same is true nationally as well as in Leicester.