Winter is a wonderful time to consider buying or selling

With winter now upon us, we are turning on heat pumps and pulling woolly jumpers out of the drawers. Winter is a time for good food, cosy blankets and gathering around the fire for a chat. While you may associate this time of year with staying inside and curling up on the sofa, it is also an opportune time to consider buying or selling a home.

You may have noticed some imperfections in your home during the Lockdown

We have all just spent many weeks inside our properties and chances are you have noticed a few areas that could do with improvement. For instance, a larger garden, a bigger kitchen, an additional bathroom, or space to have that dream home office. With interest rates at historic lows, now is the time to think about listing your home and looking for something else.

Low stock means more attention for your home

There is currently a low stock of properties on the market so listing now makes sense. Your home will get more attention both online and from open homes and viewings. Salespeople are ready to work hard for you and to leverage their databases of contacts. The new online auction platform gives potential purchasers an additional way to bid in real time.

Less competition for experts

When you are putting together a power team to sell your home, you want to secure the best of the best. Top-tier home-stagers, deep cleaners, photographers and tradespeople are keen to ramp up their workloads as quickly as possible. If you need suggestions, simply ask your salesperson for advice - they have honed lists over time of those who are outstanding in their field to get your home market ready.

Kiwis abroad may be thinking of returning

We have seen an increase in buyer enquiries from expat New Zealanders. This increased interest has come in the form of both direct contact with salespeople and through traffic to our website. We think this may indicate many are thinking of heading back to New Zealand when travel is again permitted across borders.

Winter can make flaws more obvious

During summer, homes are sun-filled, warm and bright. Potential problems can be overlooked. If there are structural issues with a property, they are often revealed in winter when the weather is more extreme, as opposed to summer when it’s dry and sunny. Leaks, cracks, warping and chipped paint can show themselves.

Rural markets are seeing more enquiries

We are also hearing from potential buyers that the idea of being able to supply their own food via small gardens, chickens and a small number of livestock, creates some certainty and independence that they find exciting. Further, the concept of being a part of an intimate community with a small town vibe is intriguing. We are hearing from our rural and lifestyle salespeople that these are all factors people seem to be mulling over as they consider their future and how they can leverage new ways to work from home.

Winter means seriously engaged customers

Open homes when the weather is ideal, can attract a good deal of window shoppers who enjoy wandering around a property simply to see ‘what is out there’ in certain price ranges.  However, those that are braving the cold to look through a property are likely to be serious about a purchase. While you may have fewer people through the door, you will be showing your home to more motivated and serious buyers.

A more captive audience than summertime

During the summer months people are travelling. Families head to their bach or the beach. During the winter, kids are in school and the low temperatures encourage you to stay close to home. People are around on weekends to tour homes and they will also happily spend a night with a thick throw on the sofa searching online for the perfect property.

The market is moving forward. We are seeing successful sales under the hammer and by negotiation every week. We know one thing for sure - there are always opportunities to leverage if you have the right people and the right company behind your sale or purchase. We are proud to offer no-obligation, free appraisals for anyone considering a sale in the near future. Contact us today!