BEST TIME OF YEAR TO SELL A HOUSE
By Trish Willis | Member of Property Institute of NZ (IPAC)
Any time of year can be the best time to sell a house, depending on your circumstances, with different times offering various advantages. What really matters to the success of your sale is the competency of your real estate agent.
All in all, REINZ stats for the first quarter of 2024 have shown returning confidence, with price increases in several locations including Auckland and Wellington, and fewer days on the market compared to the same time last year.
The New Zealand median price is again increasing, although with variations within districts inside regions.
If you have purchased another property and need to sell fast, or are downsizing, up-sizing, changing jobs to new locations, building new, cashing up or wanting a warmer home or to be closer to family, you can expect to achieve an optimum result - if you do your due diligence.
Timing can also depend on the type of property you have. For example properties zoned for development in Auckland and lifestyle blocks have been achieving good prices despite market variables. You can find out more about selling a house in Auckland zoned for development here.
If your family is intending to sell a deceased estate, you will find more information about these here.
We can also provide you with a list of recent sales in your area - send a request through - we're happy to provide this.
Find out more detailed information about selling a house in your particular area
HOW TO CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT
Whatever your situation, your choice of real estate agent is the single most important factor that determines the success or failure of a house sale any time of the year. It is the foundation on which all your other real estate decisions rely including what market value to use, the method of sale you choose, how much it will cost you to sell and what company would put you at the greatest selling advantage.
If you're preparing to sell a property, find out more about how to compare real estate agents, or you might want to find out what it costs to sell a house.
Getting a reliable property appraisal to check whether it's financially worth selling will also help you decide whether now is the right time to sell. This can be a worthwhile exercise - and knowing how to scrutinise house appraisals will help as well.
If you would like an appraisal from a real estate agent who has been vetted, send us a message.
STAGING A HOUSE FOR SALE
When selling a house, home staging an empty property can transform a house from being ordinary to extraordinary, making it stand out from competing properties for sale in the area.
Home staging is always worth doing whatever time of year you are selling a property. Staged properties sell faster, sell for higher sale prices and easily beat competing properties that are not staged. This is well proven.
Home staging a house for sale helps buyers to visualise room layout and work the spaces with their own furnishings. Investing in home staging makes it harder for other lived-in homes to compete because of the higher volume of interest it arouses.
Home staging has more impact than the time of year a house is sold
THE COST OF HOME STAGING
Hiring beautiful furniture for a full home staging might start at around $1000 (and up to $5000) for five or six weeks but might make you $40,000+ or more in a sale price.
Partial staging (soft furnishings) can start at $450.
Real estate agents themselves are often taken aback by how much more they can achieve by home staging. Many estimate 10-15 per cent more in a sale price.
If thinking of selling, get in touch for more information.
Wise Up NZ Awarded Most Reputable Property Advice Hub NZ 2021
Page updated April 16, 2024 by Trish Willis | Member of Property Institute of NZ (IPAC)
You might also like:
- How to pay the lowest commission in NZ
- How to get a free property appraisal
- How to sell your house for more
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.
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