What time of year is the best time to sell your house?

Conventional wisdom dictates that Spring is the best time of year to sell your house. But sometimes circumstances arise when people need to sell at a different time of the year. We asked some experts about what time of year they think is best.

Brent Courtney, McGrath Lane Cove
“A good property that is priced right will sell at any time. However, there are factors that mean selecting the right time can make a big difference to your end result.

“Generally I think the best time of year to sell your house is September or early Spring. However Summer may be better if your house has a good outdoor area or spectacular ocean views. February in particular can be a great time to sell as there are less properties on the market but still plenty of buyers. Small dark interiors will also sell better in summer. Winter or Autumn are okay if the property has plenty of natural light.

“If you are going to auction a family–oriented home, then you should steer clear of school holidays and Christmas. But if you are selling a small apartment that suits First Home Buyers, sale by private treaty will work at any time of the year.

“I think the worst time of year to try to sell is over Christmas. But that said, I have sold a house on Christmas eve, so again, a good property at the right price will find buyers at any time of year.”

Robert Simeon, Richardson & Wrench Mosman Neutral Bay
“Spring to Summer has always been the favourite time to sell, given this is when a home best presents, with gardens in full bloom and the weather is on the side of vendors. It should be noted however, that this period attracts more sellers and therefore, more competition. Historically the August to May selling period is the most popular in terms of volume.

“Clearance rates tend to be collectively compiled, which can be confusing as every suburb is an independent niche market. Sellers should concentrate on the areas of interest and watch the clearance rate for their particular niche market. Again the Spring and Summer periods see the highest auction volumes, although in recent times, Private Treaty has also become very popular.

“In Spring and Summer, there are more people around as many tend to hibernate over winter and lose interest in property hunting. When it is raining for example, anecdotally there are fewer parties attending open for inspections. On the other hand, this period can also lead to less competition as there are fewer properties on the market, so this argument can balance itself out.

“Without a doubt, the worst time to try to sell your house would be June and July as these are the coldest months where consumer sentiment indicates very little to no interest in attending open for inspections.”

Points to consider for each time of year

Spring:

There will be lots of buyers in the market.
Gardens will be looking their best.
Good weather means that people are more inclined to get out and about on the weekends.
You can time the move to coincide with the Christmas school holidays to minimise disruptions.

Summer:

School Holidays means Summer is not necessarily a great time to sell your house. Christmas, family commitments, holidays and the hot weather, means house hunting will be the last thing on many people’s minds.
However, beach access, water views and gorgeous outdoor areas will seem their most valuable during the summer months.
February can equal lots of buyers but little supply.

Autumn:

Autumn in some parts of Australia can be the most climatically pleasant time of year, so it can be a good time to sell a house.
Buyers will still be in the market, but not as many sellers as in Spring.
If you missed the Spring sale period, then waiting until Autumn can make a lot of sense.
Once Winter hits however, the market does get more difficult.

Winter:

Winter is definitely the most difficult time to sell.
But lots of natural light n your home can work in your favour.
Small apartments can sell at any time of year.

Other Considerations
Although the season is important, you also need to consider the economic conditions. For example, many experts are warning that now is a more difficult time to sell than usual as fears about interest rates and political uncertainty is creating instability in the market. However, a buoyant market might mean that you can get the price you need, regardless of the time of year.

To discuss your property needs, please contact a Mortgage Consultant on 02 9466 8200 or email us at info@mortgageport.com.au. Our Mortgage Consultant will arrange to meet with you to work out what type of loan product suits you best. They can also help you calculate how much you can afford to borrow.