Is Autumn a Good Time to Sell Your Property?

When talking about the best season to sell a property, autumn doesn’t really register as an optimal time for a lot of people.

Spring with its mild weather, gardens in full bloom and optimism peaking as the chill of winter fades, particularly in Orange after our cold, cold winter, has for a long time been the favoured time for listing properties, making it traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for selling homes.

But while spring is often considered the best time of the year to sell a property, autumn can also be a good time for a real estate sale and autumn certainly is a beautiful time of year in Orange.

Here are some reasons why it might be a good idea to sell your home or investment property in autumn.

The Christmas holiday period is over

With the arrival of autumn, the Christmas holiday period is well and truly behind us.

Most people have returned from their respective holidays, kids have returned to school, and everyone is carrying on with the normal pace of their lives. This return to routine can also signal the shift of focus towards big life decisions, which includes buying a property.

Some prospective buyers also use their time off over the summer to plan, research the property market, get their finances in order and even make a few new year resolutions. This means that come autumn, these potential buyers know what they want, and they feel confident about their buying decisions – making them serious competitors for a property.

The busier selling periods like spring also tend to attract more tyre-kickers and time-wasters to open homes, who are less likely to commit to buying a property.

Cooler temperatures 

Autumn weather is usually nice for attending inspections and open homes – it’s not too hot, not too cold.

With the hottest months of the year behind us, the milder months of March, April and May can make the prospect of buying a home more appealing.

The autumn season tends to bring beautiful clear skies and stable temperatures, which can make the home viewing and purchasing experience more comfortable for buyers.

The cooler temperature is a great time to show off a property’s garden and appeal to those who want a beautiful backyard in their property.

At the heart of it, buying a property is an emotional affair, and what other season can better evoke a nostalgic and cosy ambience like autumn can as the beautiful trees turn red, orange and gold and look spectacular as they tug on the heartstrings of buyers?

Higher chance of landing a buyer

Most experts believe that the best time to sell is when demand exceeds supply. This has been true of the market in Orange generally over the last 12 months and is continuing as we head into autumn.

In autumn during a normal market, demand is likely to be higher, as there traditionally may be fewer properties up for sale during the season.

Fewer houses on the market mean that there will be more eyes on the prize, which in this scenario is your property. A bidding match can also start between potential buyers, which can help you secure a competitive price.

Fewer properties to compete with 

During spring and summer, the market can become flooded with properties, which – depending on market conditions – can create what is called a “buyer’s market”, which occurs when supply exceeds demand. This was not the case this summer just past, but it is expected that the market will even out and return to a more usual pattern as we move towards the new normal of living with Covid in our communities.

Sometimes, when there are fewer properties on the market, sellers have less competition and the odds of converting a listing into a successful sale can be higher. In autumn, there are usually fewer properties to compete with on the market than in spring, which gives a seller’s property a stronger chance of securing a buyer.

Top tips to consider when selling your property in autumn 

If you decide to sell your property in autumn, here are our top tips on doing it:

• Don’t base your selling time solely on the season. While selling a property in autumn has its merits, your decision to sell shouldn’t be based purely on the time of year or the weather. The best season for selling your property will depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of property, the location, streetscape, etc.
• Market conditions matter. Market conditions have a far greater impact on the market than the weather and seasons. Ideally, you want to sell in a “seller’s market” when demand is greater than supply.
• Sell strategically. If you choose to sell your property in autumn, it’s advised to try and avoid listing your property around the school holidays, Anzac Day and Easter holidays, all distractions for potential property buyers. Sellers should also note that days are getting shorter, and the weather is starting to get colder in May, so it’s advisable to start selling during the early months of the autumn season.

Here are some tips for attracting the autumn home buyer:

Put the yard on show and create curb appeal

Rake dead leaves and debris on your lawn. Don’t let overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting bushes and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the exterior of your home. Cut away summer vines and cut down dead flowers. Make the most of the autumn weather and create a wow to your curb appeal.

Dress the Windows

Rain and wind from over the summer months can make your windows dusty and streaked by the time it gets to autumn. You might not notice smudges, but buyers will. To sell a home, your windows need to sparkle. Remove screens and spray them down and clean the glass.

Check the air-con & clean out the heaters

You want the air inside your home to smell fresh. No doubt the air-con got a workout over summer and the filters may be filled with dust, debris and even mould. Take the time to spruce up the air-con so that when it comes time to switch the heating on, there’s no unusual smells.

Nothing smells more like autumn than smoke from a wood-burning fireplace if you’re lucky enough to have one. If it’s not quite cool enough to light the fire, at least stage it with some real wood so it looks ready to go for those chilly days.  If you have a gas fireplace, light it when buyers come through. If the fireplace is filled with cobwebs because it hasn’t been used for months, vacuum it out and wash it down.

Utilise Autumn Accents in your styling

Toss a quilt or autumn-coloured throw over a chair. After you’ve cleared away the clutter and depersonalised each room, bring a little bit of autumn hues to each room by placing bold-coloured accent pieces in odd groupings such as 3’s and 5’s. Create an autumn centrepiece for the dining room table and use some scented candles or oils to set the mood.

Turn on the Lights Everywhere

Above all, bring in the light. When days get shorter, the sun sets lower in the horizon and casts wider shadows. Pull up the blinds, open the shutters, push back the curtains on every window. Turn on every light in the house.

If you would like any advice on selling your home in autumn or generally please don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly agents.

They are always happy to chat and share their knowledge and would love to hear from you.