Downsizing can involve financial, lifestyle and practical trade‑offs. Here’s an overview of the key factors involved.
Selling
When is the best time to sell your home?
Is spring really the best time to sell your home? Compare the pros and cons of selling in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and learn how to prepare your property for sale in any season.
The best time to sell your home depends on local market conditions, buyer demand, competition and how well the property is presented – not just the season.
Spring often attracts more buyers, but it can also bring more listings, while quieter periods may offer less competition.
Assessing these factors can help you decide when to list and how to prepare your property for sale.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why is spring considered the best time to sell a house?
There are practical reasons why spring is traditionally associated with property sales.
Warmer weather and longer days can make homes more appealing during inspections, particularly properties with gardens, courtyards, balconies or plenty of natural light. Sellers also have an opportunity to tackle maintenance jobs and improve their home’s street appeal after winter.
For buyers, spring can be an attractive time to house hunt. Families may want to secure a property before the new school year, while other buyers may hope to complete their move before Christmas and the summer holiday period.
These factors can contribute to a busy spring property market – but sellers should remember that increased activity can work both ways.
Find the perfect real estate agent to sell your home with RACV + Agent Select.
Spring is traditionally associated with property sales. Image: Getty
The downside of selling your home in spring
One potential disadvantage of selling in spring is greater competition.
As more homeowners list their properties, buyers may have more choice. A property that might stand out when listings are scarce could be competing against several comparable homes in the same suburb during a busy spring campaign.
That means sellers shouldn't assume that simply listing between September and November will deliver the best result.
Instead, pay attention to conditions in your local market. Look at recent comparable sales, how many similar properties are currently listed and how long homes are taking to sell. A local real estate agent can also provide information about current buyer demand and recent results.
Is summer, autumn or winter a good time to sell?
Each season can offer advantages depending on the property and location.
Summer may showcase properties with pools, entertaining areas and coastal locations particularly well. However, the Christmas and January holiday period can interrupt campaigns as buyers and agents take time away.
Autumn can provide pleasant conditions for inspections without the volume of listings sometimes associated with spring. Buyers who missed out during the previous months may also remain active.
Winter is often regarded as a quieter selling period, but fewer listings can mean less competition. A warm, well-lit home may also present particularly well during colder weather.
The characteristics of your home matter, too. A leafy garden may look its best in spring, while a north-facing living area that receives plenty of winter sun could have greater appeal during the cooler months.
Each season can present advantages to selling your home. Image: Getty
How to prepare your home for sale in any season
Timing matters, but presentation and preparation can be important regardless of when you sell.
Before putting your property on the market, consider taking care of outstanding maintenance, decluttering rooms and storage areas, thoroughly cleaning the property and improving its street appeal. Gardens should be tidy, gutters cleared where appropriate and obvious maintenance problems addressed.
It can also be worth considering small improvements rather than embarking on an expensive renovation immediately before selling. Fresh paint, repairing damaged fixtures or improving lighting may help a home feel well maintained without requiring a major investment.
Find a qualified tradie to fix maintenance issues here.
You should also allow enough time to prepare the necessary documentation and seek professional advice about the legal requirements associated with selling property in your state or territory.
More: Must-do repairs and renovations before selling your home
Should you get a building and pest inspection before selling?
Property inspections aren't only something buyers need to think about.
Arranging a professional building and pest inspection before listing can help sellers identify issues that may otherwise emerge during a buyer's due diligence. Depending on the scope of the inspection, this could include visible building defects, moisture-related issues, timber pest activity or maintenance concerns.
Knowing about problems early gives you time to consider whether to arrange repairs, seek professional advice or disclose relevant information to prospective buyers.
Keep in mind that a building and pest inspection has a defined scope and isn't a guarantee that a property is free from every defect. Sellers should check exactly what an inspection includes and use appropriately qualified professionals.
A well-presented property put on market when you're ready to sell may be more important than the season you sell in. Image: Getty
So, when is the best time to sell your house?
Spring can be a good time to sell, but the best time depends on more than the season.
Local supply and demand, interest from buyers, your property's individual characteristics and your own circumstances should all factor into the decision. Waiting several months for spring isn't necessarily worthwhile if conditions are already favourable – just as rushing to list in September won't automatically produce a better result.
Rather than choosing a selling date based on the calendar alone, research your local property market and make sure your home is properly prepared before the campaign begins.
A well-presented property launched when you're ready to sell may ultimately be more important than whether the garden happens to be in bloom.
More: Downsizing your home? What to consider before making the move
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
