If you ask around, people will give you pros and cons for selling your home in any season, but the fact remains that market activity is invariably highest in spring and early summer.<\/p>\n
While this does have some downsides for buyers and sellers, it also presents a wide array of opportunities. Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group, explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpring is all about new beginnings, and getting a head start on future plans,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s an \u2018out with the old, in with the new\u2019 kind of season, and that goes for more than just spring cleaning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarke said that for a lot of people, those first few weeks of sunny days and longer evenings are exactly the trigger they need to make a move on finding a new home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see dramatically more buyers hitting the market place with the onset of spring,\u201d he said. \u201cPart of this is almost certainly the psychological effect of the warmer weather, but it\u2019s also because there are a lot of new properties being listed and it is just more fun going house-hunting in the sun. Homes are brighter, gardens are more colourful, and everything is fresh and green. It\u2019s also an ideal time to think about what you\u2019ll be needing in the new year, and what you can afford with expected bonuses and annual increases on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
More buyers on the market does mean more contenders for properties, however, and Clarke warned that spring purchases tend to be faster-paced and more competitive than other seasons.<\/p>\n
Sellers, of course, tend to enjoy this kind of buyer rivalry, as it often means faster sales and higher prices at the end of the day. However, since there are also more properties going up for sale during spring, they could find themselves facing an equally competitive marketplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always advise sellers to remember that you aren\u2019t competing with the best house in your neighbourhood,\u201d said Clarke.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re competing with the best house in your neighbourhood that\u2019s on sale at the same time as yours. If there are only a few neighbouring homes for sale, as is often the case in winter, there\u2019s a good chance that you\u2019ll compare favourably and capture the attention of buyers. If there are numerous homes on sale, however, you may find yourself having to work a little harder.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thankfully, spring weather tends to make this fairly easy.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake use of the good weather to neaten and brighten up your garden, and enhance your curb appeal with some attractive landscaping,\u201d said Clarke. \u201cA fresh coat of paint on your home\u2019s exterior, and new varnish on your wooden windows, can also go a very long way towards improving the appeal of your home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite its competitive nature, Clarke reaffirmed that spring is an ideal season for sellers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe variety of opportunities available on both sides of the equation almost always outweighs the challenges of greater competition,\u201d he said. \u201cWith a little bit of research and the right preparation, a spring sale can be good for everyone involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
How to pick the best investment property<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n How to spot a buyers or sellers market in SA\u2019s property sector<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n