John McGrath

PHOTO: John McGrath. FILE

The belief that winter is a bad time to sell homes has persisted for as long as I’ve been in real estate. However, this is a myth. Let’s explore how this misconception actually benefits sellers. If you’re considering selling soon, here’s why winter might be the perfect time.

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Many potential sellers hold off until the busy spring season, believing there will be more buyers. This results in fewer homes on the market during winter, creating a tighter supply dynamic that greatly favors those who do list their homes.

Contrary to the myth, serious buyers don’t stop looking just because it’s cold or rainy. It’s the casual browsers who stay home in winter. As a seller, your goal is to attract genuine buyers, and this can be achieved in any season with a competent agent and quality marketing.

Listing in winter offers two key advantages. First, you benefit from lower supply and increased competition for your home.
Second, by the time your settlement period ends and you have your funds, you’ll be ready to buy just as the spring listings appear. Instead of competing with numerous new listings as a seller, you’ll be a buyer with more options.

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This winter advantage is relevant to sellers across Australia, even in markets that aren’t currently thriving. The median Australian home price rose by 8% in FY24, with the most significant gains in areas with low supply, such as Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and parts of NSW. Despite higher interest rates, property prices rose due to the low supply of homes for sale.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics lending data shows 37.1% of new loans in May went to investors, the highest level in seven years. Investors see a window to buy high-quality properties before interest rates drop. If you’re thinking of selling, consult agents about your local market conditions to determine if this winter is the ideal time for you.

SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU