A lot of first-time buyers and less experienced property buyers are unaware that there is a best time of the year to buy a property when they can save a considerable amount of money, but this is absolutely true. 

Just like the long-term property market which moves in cycles, the property prices during any given year also fluctuate due to demand and supply.

So when are the best times to buy a property?

Well it's generally accepted that the best time of the year to buy a house is during the winter months, particularly during December and January.

This is because the property markets are at their slowest during these months, and therefore because sellers receive fewer viewings and therefore fewer offers, you are more likely to be able to negotiate a good price and grab yourself a bargain.

The only downside is that there are generally fewer properties on the market during the winter months because sellers know they can get a better price by putting their house up for sale in the summer when the market is buoyant. So if you miss out on a property there are fewer alternative properties to choose from.

Nevertheless if you see a property you like during the winter, then this is the time of the year to put in an offer significantly below the asking price, and try and grab yourself a bargain, because you can be sure that if the property's still on the market six months later there will be a lot more interest as the property market hots up again.

Another time of the year where the market is slightly quieter, and therefore a time when buyers have the upper hand, is during the holiday season, ie from late July until the end of August.

Most potential buyers usually take a break during these months to concentrate on their holidays, so this is potentially another opportunity to seek out a bargain.

So to sum up, if you're looking for a property then try not to join the hordes of people who are all looking for properties to buy at the same time, but wait until the quieter months of July, August, December and January, when there are less buyers to compete with. These are the best times of the year to buy a property if you don't want to pay over the odds for a house and want to grab a potential bargain.