Older homeowners are selling their properties faster than any other age group, overturning assumptions that retirees struggle in today’s market, according to survey data from Good Move.
The research showed that more than one in seven sellers aged 65 and over, or 14.29% completed a sale in less than a month, the highest proportion of any age group surveyed.
By contrast, just 9.09% of 25 to 34-year-olds managed to sell within a month, while fewer than three per cent of sellers aged 35 to 44 achieved the same.
Among those aged 55 to 64, the figure stood at 10.81% and for those aged 45 to 54 it was 9.76%.
The findings suggest that older homeowners may benefit from factors such as owning more desirable property types, fairer pricing strategies, or simpler sales chains, often due to downsizing or being mortgage-free.
However, challenges remain. The survey also found that bungalows, often preferred by retirees, were the property type most likely to take over six months to sell, with one in five, or 21.05%, remaining on the market long term.
Nima Ghasri, director at Good Move, said: “There’s a common perception that older homeowners are slow to sell or struggle in a fast-paced market, but our data shows the opposite.
“Many over-65s are savvy, motivated sellers who know the value of pricing fairly and moving fast.
“That said, it’s clear that some are still facing delays, especially those selling bungalows, which can fall into a niche buyer category.
“Downsizing should be a smooth transition, but outdated stock or mismatched demand can create unexpected obstacles.”
