As we herald the start of the spring selling season, there’ll be a few owners who’ll be anxiously watching the trends for buyer demand and prices.
Some owners won’t give it a second thought – they’re the ones selling in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, which are thriving markets currently.
Those in the other capital cities will be watching carefully how their markets respond to the traditional boomtime for selling homes.
However, we should treat national and metropolitan data as indicators only.
Australia has thousands of micro-markets where properties can sell for super-high prices in one street but languish just a few hundred yards away for reasons as simple as a lack of public transport or the release of a new apartment development.
So, it’s essential you understand property values at a micro-level.
Right now, there’s no doubt owners are in the mood to transact. Industry researcher CoreLogic says there’s an average 18.2% increase in fresh listings at this time of year, led by East Coast metropolitan centres.
Sales spike 8.3% in spring, which is great but indicates not every home gets snapped up at this time of year. So, there is no room for complacency on the part of sellers.
CoreLogic’s industry commentary also suggests sellers in some areas of Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney may have to work especially hard to achieve their desired results.
If you’re ready to sell, the spring and summer months are ideal. A well-presented home that’s priced to reflect the market mood will sell quickly.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for your sales campaign:
- Spring Clean: Cleaning and decluttering is always a top-three tip – and for good reason. Homes that are dirty or untidy never reflect their value. Buyers either turn away, question the quality of maintenance or seek a discount on the asking price or reserve.
- Empty Storage Areas: With more homes on the market at this time of year, buyers have greater choice. So focus on what you can control. One area is ensuring buyers see you have lots of storage. This facet of a home is increasingly important to buyers.
- Curb Calling: First impressions are everything, especially in spring. The outside of your home should be welcoming and attractive. Ensure your front garden is full of spring colour and consider repainting the exterior to remedy nature’s wear and tear.
- Light Up: Many owners don’t realise how dirty windows can reduce the amount of natural light coming into their home. When trying to create a feeling of space and lightness, there is no better ally than sunshine.
- Get Focus: You’ll need to move quickly if you want to sell this spring. So, don’t try to boil the ocean with your preparations. Focus on areas that will sell your home. The kitchen, bathrooms and living areas are usually the best places to focus your efforts.