Real estate<\/a> traditionalists say spring is the only<\/em> time to sell, but Australians put their homes on the market in every season. It\u2019s knowing how to make the most of the season that counts.<\/strong><\/p>\n Diane Sheppard, a sales agent from LJ Hooker Victoria Park, in inner-city Perth, says while historically agents have told vendors to hold off selling until spring, many people simply sell when they need to.<\/p>\n She says nowadays it\u2019s less about picking the perfect time and more about understanding how to present a property in the particular season. Sheppard shares her tips for selling in spring, summer, winter and autumn.<\/p>\n Tips for getting your home ready for sale<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true everything seems to come to life in spring. The flowers are blooming, the weather is better and people are getting out and about more, which is why it\u2019s a popular time to sell,\u201d Sheppard says.<\/p>\n In spring, it\u2019s easier to attract potential buyers to open houses<\/a>, but they still need to be wowed, she says.<\/p>\n A high-pressure wash of any signs of mould externally, a big tidy-up in the garden and outdoor entertaining areas and throwing open curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible, should all be on vendors\u2019 to-do lists, Sheppard says.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter the season, it\u2019s about showing the home in the best possible light and downplaying any potential negatives.\u201d<\/p>\n Spring selling and buying tips<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n In summer, it\u2019s all about temperature and outdoor lifestyle.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Perth, for example, we can get very hot summers, so when selling, be strategic about the times of inspections. If a home doesn\u2019t have air-conditioning and you hold an open at the hottest part of the day, that\u2019s the first thing a potential buyer will notice\u00a0\u2013<\/span> that they\u2019re dying of heat.<\/p>\n \u201cDo things differently. Maybe hold opens in the early morning or early evening, when the heat won\u2019t be such an issue. You also need to think about what people are doing in summer. If it\u2019s the middle of the day on a weekend, they might be at the beach, for example, so you need to take that into consideration,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n If the property has cooling, use it, Sheppard says. \u201cWhen you know it\u2019s going to be a hot day, and you have an inspection, ensure the air-conditioner is turned on early enough to actually cool the property down.\u201d<\/p>\n Any outdoor areas should be dressed to impress, she adds. \u201cIf you\u2019re lucky enough to have a pool, have the umbrellas up, the lilos floating on the water and a nice cool drinking sitting there, so people can really imagine enjoying that space.\u201d<\/p>\n Any outdoor areas should be dressed to impress when selling in summer. Picture: Three Birds Renovations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If selling in winter, Sheppard suggests being prepared. \u201cLittle nuances in winter can make a big difference,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s raining, we\u2019ll always put umbrellas out for people to use. I\u2019m even lucky to have someone who works with me and he\u2019ll walk people to and from their car,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s a fireplace, have it roaring. \u201cAlternatively, if you don\u2019t have a fire, and it\u2019s a really cold and miserable day, you can even pop the oven on and have something cooking in it. I\u2019ve been known to pop a roast in the oven for clients. The smell is divine and it makes it feel instantly homely,\u201d Sheppard says.<\/p>\n Candles also add warmth and ambience in any season, but especially in winter, she says.<\/p>\n Cosy spaces with ambient lighting sell well in winter. Picture: Erinna Giblin<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In autumn vendors either need to deal with fallen leaves \u2013 or make a feature of them, Sheppard says.<\/p>\n By raking up leaves before an open, vendors ensure potential buyers don\u2019t see \u201clots of work\u201d, she says. Wet leaves which get dragged into the house can make it look messy too.<\/p>\n \u201cSome places are built to be low maintenance, with large areas of grass and maybe just a few trees, which may drop leaves. If you can\u2019t rake them up, put something there, to divert the eye. A few pieces of nice outdoor furniture<\/a>, maybe even a fire pit, can turn a negative into a positive.\u201d<\/p>\n A few pieces of nice outdoor furniture, maybe even a fire pit, can be a great autumn seller. Picture: The Agency<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Spring<\/h2>\n
Summer<\/h2>\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/20122220\/ep-7-7.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nWinter<\/h2>\n
![\"Garden](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/28135310\/Avantgarden-lighting_0019-2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nAutumn<\/h2>\n
![\"1041](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/20113721\/image_h_30.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n