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Don’t put your sale on ice during winter

Lucy RutherfordThe West Australian
dethridgeGROVES Real Estate Operations Manager and Sales Executive Michael Harries said one of the main advantages of selling in the cooler months was less competition.
Camera IcondethridgeGROVES Real Estate Operations Manager and Sales Executive Michael Harries said one of the main advantages of selling in the cooler months was less competition. Credit: hikesterson./Getty Images/iStockphoto.

While getting buyers out to home opens might seem like a hard sell in the cold, wet weather, there are actually many benefits to putting your home on the market in winter.

dethridgeGROVES Real Estate Operations Manager and Sales Executive Michael Harries said one of the main advantages of selling in the cooler months was less competition.

“Many sellers tend to wait until spring to launch to the market so, while the weather might be better, they’re competing with every other property that is listed at that time,” he said.

Ray White Dalkeith Claremont Sales Executive Laura Johns said another benefit was that people who bought a house in winter would likely be moving in at springtime.

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“This is a great selling point and narrative, as people want to imagine themselves somewhere new and exciting when the seasons change,” she said.

“Traditionally there is also less to do in winter in Perth than in summer, so we find that home open numbers can be higher in winter, as people are looking for things to do on the weekend.”

Mr Harries said some homes naturally presented well in different seasons.

“A home might have a warm, homely feeling to it and, combined with an open fire, for example, it could be very inviting when presented to the market in winter,” he said.

“If you have a home by the coast with an amazing outdoor area, a pool, or maybe you’ve mowed a cricket pitch into the back lawn for the kids, you’re selling a lifestyle, so you’re always going to sell a home like that in summer.”

When presenting your property for home opens during wintertime, Ms Johns said it was important to consider light.

“This is the one thing that may be lacking in winter, so I recommend you schedule the photos and home open times around the time of day that has the best lighting,” she said.

“Another thing to consider is the styling and furniture used to complement the property.

“If a room is dark, and potentially darker in winter, then I encourage sellers to use a light colour scheme when styling their property for sale.

“If the property has a fireplace, we often encourage them to light it for home opens, as this creates a sense of comfort and warmth.”

Mr Harries said presentation was critical in maximising the sale price.

“It’s wise to consider whether deficiencies in the home might be more obvious in winter, for example if you’re selling a limestone character property, it’s likely to feel slightly damper during or after rains,” he said.

“When presenting the property, make sure the home is warm and that the temperature is consistent throughout.

“Use soft furnishings to make it feel cosier – blankets on the couch, big cushions on the floor in front of the heater and rugs where you have open areas of timber or concrete floors.

“Make sure the gardens look great, so they don’t look like work.

“Monitor the weather and pick the best days to show the property, as we still have many amazing clear days throughout the Perth winter.”

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