Is autumn a good time to sell your property?

With mild weather, gardens in full bloom and optimism often at a peak as the chill of winter fades, spring has long been favoured for real estate marketing campaigns, making it traditionally one of the busiest times for Australia’s property market.

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 – especially if done under the right circumstances. 

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

The Christmas frenzy is over

The arrival of autumn indicates that the Christmas frenzy is well and truly behind us.

This means that 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 more feverish selling periods such as 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 will undoubtedly be the season of choice of the fabled Goldilocks – it’s not too hot, not too cold. After all, viewing properties or attending auctions or open houses in the extreme heat or the bitter cold or under a downpour is nobody’s idea of a good time. 

With the hottest months of the year (December, January and February) 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 sellers need to tug on all the heartstrings they can to close a sale. What other season can better evoke a nostalgic and cosy ambience like autumn can? While spring is synonymous with flowers blooming, autumn is a time of year when trees offer rich and colourful foliage that is unique to the season, as well as beautiful scents that may just get buyers to seal the deal.

Higher chance of landing a buyer

Most experts believe that the best time to sell is when demand exceeds supply. 

In autumn, demand is likely higher, as there will likely be fewer properties up for sale during the season.

Fewer houses on the market mean that there will be more eyes on the proverbial 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 “buyer’s market”, which occurs when supply exceeds demand.

To put it another way, a buyer’s market is when real estate stock is high, and there are plenty of properties for sale, but there’s a shortage of interested buyers. These conditions give buyers leverage over sellers because when supply is higher and demand is lower, the market is forced to respond (usually by lowering prices). 

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. For example, if the property is located near a waterway or the coast, late spring or summer might be a better time to sell.
• 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 sell in March, rather than April or May. Aussies are known as great football fans, and in the early part of autumn, the AFL season has not yet started so potential buyers have time to attend open homes. In April this year, there are also 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, particularly in the southern states, so it’s advisable to start selling during the early months of the autumn season. Therefore, it might be a good idea to put your house on the market in early March when the weather is very favourable and prospective buyers have a chance to view it. 
• Daylight savings. If you are selling property in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania or the ACT, avoid having open inspections on the first Sunday in April, the date when daylight saving time (DST) ends. This change in time often confuses people. Instead, consider having your open inspection on Saturday.

 Disclaimer: The information provided in the article is general and should not be perceived as personalised investing advice. It is highly recommended to consult with financial advice from a suitably qualified adviser.

If you want to learn more about the latest industry expert insights on the property market and other general information that will help you along your investment property journey, check out our amazing podcasts. Also, make sure to check our News section for the latest property market reports, insights, news and useful tips and strategies for investors.