Tradition has it that spring is the best time to sell, so many people think the best time to list their home is when everybody else is doing the same. But many would-be spring sellers leave their run too late, underestimating how much time it takes to get their property ready for sale.
Buyers are not as seasonal as sellers think they are. All through winter, they have become dejected as they notice a distinct lack of listings. And when the property market starts to ramp up again in the first flush of spring, eager buyers are ready and waiting to compete for new listings.
Often a very good time to sell is during September and October, as the stock levels never quite match up to buyer demand. The laggards who get their property to market in November and December may not do so well. By this time, buyers are tired, there is more property to choose from and the balance of supply versus demand levels off.
Suddenly, buyers feel as though there is no urgency and they can take their time for a change.
The best time to sell is often early in the season, yet many would-be vendors dawdle in the lead-up to the warmer months and don't have their home ready until almost Christmas. However, buyers have an appetite for spring property from the start, and it is the early bird that catches the worm.