Winter may not have the best weather but it does have the least amount of listings.
While many sellers wait until spring to put their property on the market, there are benefits to selling in winter – just as long as you keep a few seasonal considerations in mind.
PROS AND CONS OF A WINTER SALE
It seems to be a general consensus among sellers that winter is not an ideal time to sell property. Data from Ray White shows that on average, Australia experiences a 7 per cent drop in property listings between May and June each year, based on market – wide records studied from 2022 to early 2025.
While there are a few warm climate areas that buck this trend (Darwin, Brisbane and Regional Queensland), the majority of capital cities and regional areas see a marked decrease in listings (-2 per cent nationally) during winter.
Ray White head of performance and recognition Bianca Denham. Picture: supplied
However, Ray White head of performance and recognition Bianca Denham says less listings means less competition for those who do decide to sell during the colder months.
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“If I was selling a property, I’d rather sell my home when there’s fewer other properties similar to mine because it gives buyers less choice,” she says. “Potentially it might give me a favourable pricing outcome because there’s less options.”
And while there may be less sellers during winter, there are always buyers to be found no matter what season it is.
“People don’t buy because the daffodils are out,” she says. “They buy because they got a promotion, they finished saving, they’re having a baby – all these other life events.”
Buyers will still attend auctions not matter what the weather.
Another benefit to selling in winter is that it enables you to showcase how cosy your home is, especially if you have a fireplace, says McGrath Hunters Hill director Tracey Dixon.
“Some of my properties over the years have lent themselves to that kind of environment,” she says.
However, the weather may not be on your side and gardens may not be looking their best, says Denham.
“If the weather is terrible you’ll have to contend with things like mud,” she says. “But one thing I know is if someone wants to buy a home they’ll be there – rain, hail or shine.”
A winter sale enables you to showcase the cosiness of your home.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Before listing in winter, make sure you think about the demographic of buyers and the type of property you are selling, Dixon says.
“People need to consider the unique nature of their property and what the benefits are for the potential purchasers,” she says. “Aspect is also a consideration. If you have a waterfront home that is south facing that’s going to be cold and windier in winter then it certainly wouldn’t be the ideal time to be selling.”
If you do list in winter, it’s best to go above and beyond to make it warm and inviting.
“People need to think about their heating systems, how they’re going to make their properties light and bright even though it might be less sunny,” Dixon says.
McGrath agent Tracey Dixon.
Denham says it’s important to give the garden a once over and freshen up the lawn.
“Make some considerations for people coming through. If the weather is going to be wet, it’s going to be muddy – put extra door mats out,” she says.
WINTER FORECAST
Denham says she expects this winter to “kick along quite nicely” now that the Federal election is over and more interest rate cuts seem likely.
“We’ve got stability of government, a strong focus on housing and affordability of housing – I think that’s only going to provide confidence to the market,” she says.
Based on her conversations with other agents across the country, Dixon says she expects to see strong activity from investors over the winter months.
Dixon expects to see more people invest in property over winter this year.
“From what we’re seeing across the board, people are getting back into looking at real estate as one of Australia’s greatest investment opportunities,” she says. “I think that’s going to really fuel the months between June, July, August this year.
“I think a lot of people are thinking they might get into the market before the market takes off again next time and that could be as early as later this year or it could be maybe 2026.
“I think all eyes are back on property throughout the country now. Everyone thinks this is the place to invest their money for the future.”
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