There is something about September that feels like a second New Year. Holidays end, schools reopen, diaries refill and all those things we cheerfully postponed until “after the summer” suddenly require attention. There is a renewed sense of purpose — without the pressure of giving up chocolate or joining a gym.

Moving home is often one of those postponed decisions. Perhaps having everyone under one roof during the holidays confirmed that another bedroom would be useful. Perhaps maintaining the garden all summer has made downsizing rather appealing. Or perhaps sitting beside a Mediterranean swimming pool provided enough uninterrupted thinking time to decide that a long-discussed move really should happen.

The market message would be that personal circumstances are often more important than trying to predict the “perfect” property market. Interest rates, prices and economic headlines matter, of course, but people have always moved because their lives change. The important thing is to understand the market you are actually moving in and make decisions accordingly.

That is where good local advice becomes invaluable. An experienced agent can explain what buyers are looking for now, how values are behaving locally and whether September is the right moment to turn contemplation into action.

If moving home has been sitting on your “after the summer” list, September might be the month to finally put a tick beside it.