The demographics make winter worthwhile to list property

There is no reason why most homes can't be put up for sale in the upcoming cooler months.

Indeed quiet winters are pretty much a thing of the past in many Sydney suburbs.

The motivation to sell or buy doesn’t go away just because it’s a bit colder or pouring on Saturday.

The federal election might distract some potential vendors but recent July auction volumes have been Sydney’s busiest on record.

Homes that get great winter light can really stand out during these cooler months.

And those west-facing windows that are a summer issue can look cool from June through August.

Just draw back the curtains and blinds on the windows to let as much light in as possible.

Your focus should be on making the house or apartment feel warm and comfortable. So definitely light the fire and switch on the heat.

Turn on all the atmosphere-creating side lamps.

Even add some warm reds and oranges to your soft furnishings around the house.

Be sure to consult your agent about the best time of day to show your home for its open for inspection.

It's not quite a never-ending, year round selling season as agents do take a break from Christmas until late January, but winter is not the same compulsive period of hibernation.

Lower winter market listings will commence from the Queen’s Birthday holiday break. 

Auction hibernation happens more so in Sydney's higher-priced suburbs through winter as overseas vacations are de jour for owner and agents alike. Garden suburb vendors tend to hold back too.

But if you can find an agent who hasn't taken off for a European sojourn, then why wait for spring when there is always a flood of offerings especially at year end.

The demographic reasons for buying and selling don't take a pause so growing families who need more space do not suddenly stop needing that extra bedroom. Those downsizers who've got their off the plan settlement coming up, will want to lock in their house sale too.

This year may see higher levels of activity than usual from prestige markets reflecting the recent momentum in these sectors. Last week CoreLogic had a 91 percent success rate among eastern suburbs offerings which means there are plenty of fresh buyers still looking and the success rate also might encourage fresh vendors.

It wasn't just the east which showed a resilience over autumn which finished with a wet Saturday with none the less well attended auctions.

CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless noted the upcoming election and debate around taxation policy hadn't dampen the renewed bounce in Sydney home values.

He noted the bounce in the Sydney home value index was around 3.4 percent over May with Sydney clearance rates holding above the 70 percent mark through late April and May. 

Common sense would tell you that less people are inclined come to an onsite auction if the weather isn’t so friendly, however while the sticky beaks might drop off during the colder months, the percentage of serious bidders among the attendees actually increases. 

The strong autumn sales period must ensure there are still plenty of committed buyers around as we head into winter, James Pratt, director of auction services at Raine & Horne noted.

John McGrath recent noted that winter is not a bad time to sell.

"Actually, the opposite is usually true," he said especially as buyers with approved finance are typically only given six months to buy before they have to re-apply, so they don’t have time to take three months off over winter.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.