Is there any place more fantastic than Sydney during the summer months? With so much access to the beach and other waterways plus a never-ending list of gatherings and events, the harbour city is definitely the place to be.
For property sellers, however, the summer months can present a conundrum. Do you take advantage of this spectacular time of year to showcase your home in its best light? Or do you hold off until buyers arrive home from their school holiday trips away?
With a carefully planned strategy, you can leverage the best of both worlds and use the summer break to your advantage.
Should you sell over the summer holidays?
Buyers on the lower north shore are a motivated bunch, sometimes signing contracts at the 11th hour on Christmas Eve. However, if you list your home once the holidays kick off, you do risk missing out on some ‘eyeballs’.
Roads are quieter, meaning fewer people will pass the ‘For Sale’ sign outside your home. To add to this, If you hold an auction during January some people may miss out on bidding because they are out of town.
On the other hand, Sydney’s popularity means it draws interstate and international visitors in summer. Listing your property for sale may give you the chance to attract a buyer with a generous budget who is looking to enter the area.
What’s more, because the real estate market traditionally goes quiet over the school holidays, if you do need to sell, you can to do so without being up against a great deal of competition. Your home will stand out as one of few which are available, and buyers who just missed out on properties before Christmas will flock to your door.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to selling your Mosman home over late December and January. Generally speaking, your real estate agent will advise you to wait until February to go to market with your Mosman home but if you do need to sell, there is an effective strategy you can use.
Advice for selling over the Christmas holiday period
As a seller, the quieter holiday period can provide the headspace you need to prepare to list your home for sale. Should you wish to have the ball rolling by the time school goes back, one tactic can be to work on what’s known as a ‘soft launch’.
This means listing your home for sale online but not sharing the address or a huge number of details. A preview with a few appealing photos and an invitation for ‘expressions of interest’ can generate excitement and allow your agent to start building a shortlist of buyers.
A well-connected agent will have a number of buyers on their database who are in the market for a property like yours. Even if these buyers are not actively shopping, your agent will be able to get in touch and let them know your property is coming up for sale.
You may find a motivated couple or family are willing to put in a good offer ahead of the competition after a private viewing of your home. Alternatively, your real estate agent can take the opportunity to build excitement, schedule an open home and set a date for auction in early February. This will give buyers who have been away a chance to take a look, get their finances in order and bid at auction.
With your garden in full bloom and the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour, your Mosman property is at peak desirability during the summer months. For advice on the best time to list it for sale, contact De Brennan Property.
