‘Tis the season to be selling

‘Tis the season to be selling

The 1st of December fell upon us, almost unexpectedly.

“Where did that one go?” “It’s December already?”

Time seems to tick away a little quicker each year, especially when they are eventful and things aren’t quite the way we may have gotten used to them.

Recently Property Observer posed the question of property experts that often pops up this time of year: “Should you consider putting your property on the market now or wait until after Christmas? And if so, when is the best time in 2014?” My invitation for commentary must have been lost in the mail, so I thought I would provide my thoughts here.

2013 saw some notable changes. With hand on heart, being involved and as immersed as I am in the world of property, the change of sentiment in the market, particularly property buyers, was as tangible and as real as the nose on your face.

Although the big two – Sydney and Melbourne had been bubbling away since early 2013, the rush of buyers to the starting line commenced in August/ September as the Federal Election came to its inevitable result on the 7th of September.

Never have I seen such a pent up supply of consumer and buyer confidence waiting for the Starter’s gun to go off around 8pm on the 7th of September. And when the ‘Bang’ came, the sprint away from the starting line was something to behold, and thankfully, many of the original participants are still in the race with fresh legs joining in everyday.

The one thing that we all must acknowledge and be acutely aware of is that ALL markets are driven by sentiment, not numbers. Fear and Greed are the drivers – and fear, for the time being, has been stuffed away in a big bag in the cupboard, ready to be unzipped and worn as a shield if any economic blip emerges on the radar.

So for now, the going is pretty good. Consumers have loosened their wallets and purses and business are investing in growth strategies and hiring.

When it comes to selling your home, whether in a For Sale By Owner situation or by hiring an agent, I’m going to let you in on a little secret that may dispel any misconceptions home sellers may have about being on the market during the Holiday Season (PC for Christmas time).

Yes, in the week or so leading up to chook, turkey, prawn and crownie/XXXX/VB day – yes I mean Christmas Day; property buyers who are actively searching for their next home or property, may just take a breath from their quest and buy that present for Auntie Marge and Uncle Barry, or pack the car for that visit to Mum and Dad’s; but nothing is surer that come the 26th/27th of December the internet will cop an almighty bashing from current potential buyers and those who decided over another crownie or glass of charddy, on the 25th, that it was time to move or dive in a get that investment property.

This has been the pattern for the last four or five years, even in the soft, fear driven market we saw in the post GFC period. So what will the Holiday property buying season look like this year with a serious shot of confidence coursing through the veins of property buyers, who will have the time to browse online? Mmmm.

Could it be a good move to get a jump on your competition and put your property out there before the usual influx of new listings come on board in early January?

If that little voice has been saying “Well, I could sell my own home” or “Better call in an agent”, taking action and being prepared for the holiday ‘search and buy’ season may be the best move you ever made.

Happy Holidays to all. (PC is really not my thing)

For the non PC’s – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Published by

Craig - Agent in a Box

Sharing 18 years of frontline real estate sales experience to help you be better prepared to sell your own home.