Spring has long been considered the ideal time to sell your home, and not only because of the great weather and blooming gardens. For many Australians, spring feels like a fresh start and the countdown to the end of the year, giving both sellers and buyers that extra motivation to take action.
This spring, the standout theme is tight supply, with new listings over the past 28 days down 10.2 per cent nationally and total listings 14.0 per cent lower than a year ago (Cotality).
While this general sentiment is usually shared across the country, it is worth remembering that not every spring property market is the same. Broader conditions like interest rates and the economy will still play a significant role.
There are some typical seasonal advantages, however, that do make spring a more enticing time to list your home. Here are seven stats and insights that highlight why spring stands out in today’s property market.
Insights into selling property in spring
1. Stock is tight this spring
Spring usually brings an uplift in homes coming to market, but this year most areas are seeing fewer new listings than a year ago. Across the latest 28 day period, new listings are down nationally, 10.2 per cent lower year on year, with similar declines across the capitals, down 10.8 per cent, and regional Australia, down 9.1 per cent. Sydney is down 9.0 per cent, Brisbane down 15.3 per cent, Adelaide down 16.7 per cent and Perth down 22.5 per cent, while Melbourne is softer at down 3.5 per cent. The exception is parts of regional Victoria, which are slightly higher at up 2.3 per cent.
For sellers, fewer competing properties means buyer interest is concentrated on the stock that is available, favouring well presented homes and realistic price guides.
LJ Hooker Head of Research, Mathew Tiller, said tight supply is doing the heavy lifting this spring. “Stock remains well below normal in most markets, so quality homes are attracting strong enquiry, competitive auctions and clean offers. With fewer options for buyers, well prepared listings are standing out.”
2. High buyer activity
Winter’s lower flow of new listings has created pent up demand. As spring begins, many buyers are competing for a smaller pool of homes, which is why open homes feel busier even though fewer properties are coming to market.
The countdown to the end of the year also gives many buyers a renewed sense of urgency. Those who missed out earlier often return to the market with fresh energy, keen to buy before summer. At the same time, new housing stock means there is a wide pool of buyers actively looking, including first time purchasers, families, professionals and investors, creating greater opportunity in the market.
Warmer weather also plays a role. With more people out and about, some buyers who were not actively searching may stumble upon an open home on impulse and start imagining their future there.
Property portals such as realestate.com.au and Domain typically see a lift in buyer search activity during spring. This year that interest is meeting tighter supply, so the right homes are drawing more inspections per listing and stronger negotiations.
3. Better opportunity to present your home
Gardens are at their best in spring, and natural light can flow through open curtains, instantly making your home feel more welcoming and appealing.
This is important as first impressions are key. The goal is to create an emotional connection the moment buyers walk through the door. To achieve this, declutter and depersonalise so they can picture their own life unfolding in the space. A clean, open, and inviting look can make all the difference.
LJ Hooker agents can also provide plenty of practical, tailored tips for preparing your home for a spring sale. This may include professional staging, though a full makeover isn’t always necessary. A stylist can often work with your existing furniture or focus on a few key areas to help win over buyers.
If you have a pool, make sure it is compliant and sparkling clean. Pressure-cleaning pathways, terraces and patios can also help to highlight the outdoor space.
4. Faster sales usually happen in spring
Auction campaigns are a popular method for selling in spring, with campaigns typically running between three to four weeks. Unlike a private treaty sale, these types of sales come with a deadline.
Mr Tiller believes auctions are an effective spring selling strategy as vendors can accept an early offer or hold out to see what the market will pay under the hammer.
"It makes sense particularly at this time of the year as people are keen to secure a deal by the end of the year," Mr Tiller said.
Auction sales are unconditional and also not reliant on a bank valuation, allowing the seller and buyer to move ahead with their plans.
Spring buyers can be more serious and motivated, as they typically want to complete the purchase before summer. This can also mean fewer days on the market for homes if selling through a private treaty, depending on the location and demand.
5. Mid-week open inspections are more common
Mid-week or twilight inspections tend to increase once daylight saving commences. This is an effective strategy to showcase the lifestyle features of a property and help buyers make a connection with the property. As the sun sets, be sure to turn on the outdoor lighting in the gardens, pool and terrace.
Not all agents hold mid-week inspections, so there is less competition to attract potential buyers. It also provides an alternative for busy families or shift workers who may be unable to attend on a weekend.
As mid-week open homes are usually less busy, buyers have more time to explore at their own pace. This often puts them in a more relaxed mindset, helping them fully appreciate and connect with the home’s best features.
6. There’s potential for higher prices
With fewer homes for sale than usual, competition per listing is elevated, which is supporting sale prices in many suburbs.
More buyers in spring often mean stronger competition for your home, which can help you achieve a higher result. If there are multiple offers on your property, then you may just achieve top dollar.
But according to CoreLogic, sales volumes across some cities have also decreased during previous springs when the market was experiencing a downturn. So, success, of course, is always dependent on market conditions.
Determining a home’s value is never straightforward. It depends on a range of factors such as property valuations, appraisals, the structural integrity of the house, and broader economic
Your local LJ Hooker agent can give you clear insights into what’s happening with prices in your neighbourhood and help you understand where your property sits in the market.
"After such an extended period of growth, spring is a good time for sellers to get an appraisal to see how much equity they have in their home," Mr Tiller said.
7. There’s more demand for family homes
Spring can be a great time to sell property in a popular school zone. Many families will be keen to secure a new home in their chosen area before the start of the New Year. This sense of urgency often leads to higher turnout at open homes and better outcomes for the seller.
"The looming new school year can certainly provide an incentive for families to take action, particularly if the property is within their desired area," Mr Tiller said.
It is important to check the boundaries for local schools as these can change from year to year. If you are located in a highly prized school catchment, this should be included in your advertising material. Likewise, be sure to highlight if it is within walking distance to the school as well as any nearby parks and local transport routes.
Selling your house this spring? Our team is here to help
Selling your house in spring offers plenty of advantages, from strong buyer demand and the chance to showcase your property at its best, through to the potential for quicker, more competitive sales. With stock still well below last year in most markets, you are competing with fewer sellers than usual. Your local LJ Hooker agent will create a tailored strategy and guide you through every step of the journey.
Book your free expert property appraisal to get an idea of how much your home is worth, from the experts with over 90 years of industry experience.
DISCLAIMER - The information provided is for guidance and informational purposes only and does not replace independent business, legal and financial advice which we strongly recommend. Whilst the information is considered true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided. LJ Hooker will not accept responsibility or liability for any reliance on the blog information, including but not limited to, the accuracy, currency or completeness of any information or links.
