You're planning to get valuations when you're ready to sell because that's when you need to know what properties are worth. Meanwhile, sellers who obtain January valuations are making informed decisions about which properties to sell, what improvements add value, and how to time transactions strategically throughout 2026 rather than rushing decisions when they finally commit to selling.

You're planning to sell using strategies that worked five years ago because property selling fundamentals don't change, so you're expecting similar timelines, buyer behaviour, and pricing dynamics that no longer apply in today's market. Meanwhile, sellers achieving quick sales at strong prices understand that buyer priorities, market dynamics, and competitive standards evolved substantially, requiring adapted approaches rather than repeating historical methods.