Spring is often touted as the best time to sell a property. The weather is warmer, gardens are blooming, and there’s a general sense of optimism in the air. It all sounds perfect, right? But when you dig a little deeper, the idea that spring is the ideal time to sell starts to look more like a myth than a hard-and-fast rule.
It can be true; homes may present better in spring. A sunny day, a vibrant garden, and longer daylight hours can all help make a property feel more appealing. But whether that leads to better sales outcomes is another matter entirely. In fact, the main thing that changes in spring isn’t the number of buyers — it’s the number of sellers. Historically we see higher stock levels at this time of year. Higher stock levels mean more choice for the buyers but the flip side is that the chances of higher competition for sellers increase dramatically.
The belief that more buyers are out and about in spring often comes from the fact that more properties are being advertised. Naturally, with more stock comes more inspections. But that doesn’t necessarily mean more serious buyers — just more noise in the marketplace. Real estate, at its core, still comes down to supply and demand. And in reality, people need to move all year around, not just in Spring.
This also leads to one of the most common strategies pushed in spring — auctions. Agents often encourage sellers to auction in spring, claiming it’s the best way to create urgency and competition. But auctions carry significant risk, and they’re not always in the seller’s best interest. Auctions are a gamble. They work well only if there’s strong competition on the day BUT even then, there is still a high risk of the winner bidder walking away having not reached their maximum price limit, this is known as short selling, and it can cost sellers a fortune! If no one bids, you’ve spent thousands on marketing, staging, and campaigns, only to face the embarrassment of a passed-in property. Worse still, a failed auction can damage the perceived value of your home and scare off future buyers.
Even when an auction does lead to a sale, it doesn’t always mean you’ve achieved the best price. A scenario we see often is when a property sells under the hammer and everyone claps, but one of the bidders may have been willing to pay more in a private negotiation or as mentioned above, the gap between the winning bidder and the second highest bidder can be significant. You never hear those stories, but they happen all the time — sellers unknowingly leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table simply because they chose this method of sale.
Buyers, generally dislike auctions. They’re public, high-pressure, and unconditional. You can’t make your offer subject to finance or building inspections, and there’s no time to think it through. It’s stressful, it’s emotional, and it turns what should be a careful decision into a rushed, pressure situation. So, if fewer buyers prefer to compete in that environment, why limit or alienate your audience?
Private sales can offer far more flexibility. They allow a skilled agent to have genuine conversations with buyers, work through objections, and maximise the price through strategic negotiation — not an ego driven spectacle. They also allow for broader buyer participation, including those who need finance approval or want a building inspection. These are often genuine, qualified buyers who may be turned off by the constraints of an auction.
Of course, every property is different, and some vendors who need to sell within a certain timeframe and are not wanting to achieve the highest price may choose this pathway. But for the average seller, wanting the highest price, especially in markets like Geelong, a carefully run private sale with good marketing, honest pricing, and strong presentation is more likely to result in a better outcome — and far less stress.
Right now, for example, we’re seeing increased activity in Victoria not because of the season, but because of improved affordability compared to other states. Government incentives for first-home buyers are also kicking in soon, increasing demand in certain price brackets. These are all market forces that have nothing to do with Spring itself, and everything to do with timing, affordability, and financial policy.
So, if you’re thinking of selling, don’t hold off just for the season. The best time to sell is when it’s right for you. Selling outside of peak times can even be beneficial — with less competition, your home has a better chance of standing out. And if you’re in a sought-after price bracket there may already be buyers actively looking, even without a big and expensive marketing campaign.
The best thing you can do is focus on what you can control. Presentation and price are the two key factors within your power as a seller. Work with an agent who understands your market, price your property realistically, and present it in the best possible light. That will do far more for your final result than waiting for the so-called “right” season.
Selling your home is a big deal — don’t make it a gamble. Avoid advice that benefits others more than it benefit you. Focus on what matters, reduce the risks, and approach your sale with a clear plan. Whether it’s Spring or not, the right strategy will always outperform the right season.
For more information about the Smartre Sale method please see this page here or call and speak with one of our skilled team on 5292 8084