WHY SELL NOW ?
Bianca Denham | Head of Performance and Recognition , Ray White Group
April is always a quieter month in real estate and this year was no different . Juggling school holidays , Easter and Anzac Day long weekends meant we only saw 20 working days in Australia . These factors have possibly contributed to the drop in new listings coming to market , with the nation ’ s focus being pulled to other priorities . Overall we ’ re sitting at approximately 17 per cent fewer new listings compared to the same period last year . Buyers are expressing a frustration around availability of suitable properties ; this could create a fantastic opportunity for anyone thinking of coming to market in the current climate .
But what about the time of the year ?
Some people feel winter is not the ideal time to place your property on the market , however the cooler months allow the opportunity to showcase some of your home ’ s features that you may not have considered . Here are some tips for you to make your home feel welcoming if you are selling during the cooler months .
Light it up
Especially if you have north facing windows , open up the curtains and blinds and let the warming winter sun show your property ’ s year-round versatility .
Outdoor spaces
Do you have an outdoor heater or fire pit ? Get those stoked up and highlight the adaptability of your outdoor spaces in both warm and cool seasons .
The way to the heart is through the stomach . Having cookies or bread baking in the home as buyers pass through can make the experience even more enticing . If you ’ re not a native cook , you can buy the frozen variety , it will do the job just as well .
Keep it clean
Wet outdoor areas can create havoc as people transition from outdoor to indoor spaces . Make sure you have new , clean doormats , both indoors and out . You can consider asking people to remove their shoes as they move from outdoors to indoors to keep your floors clean and tidy .
Ensure all of your light fittings are clean and in good working order . Especially with mid-week twilight open inspections , having your home brightly lit will showcase the interior features as buyers make their way into the property .
Warm it up
Seasonality aside , the persistent shortage of new housing , rental properties and increased migration are putting significant demand on the second-hand housing market . Buyers don ’ t choose to buy because the daffodils are in bloom , they ’ re driven by factors much more meaningful than that . There is high demand and low supply ; now could be a fantastic time to sell your property .
Heating should be on and fireplaces lit . Showing how cosy your property is at a cooler time of the year , can really make a house feel like a home . Let the sunshine in .
11