Is autumn a good time to buy or sell a home in Canberra? Agents weigh in

Autumn is upon us, but how does it fare as a selling season compared with the usual headline-grabbing spring and summer?

Sophie Luton of Luton Properties says autumn comes with some big milestones but it can be a great time of the year to sell or buy.

“There’s a lot going on with Easter, Anzac Day and school holidays,” she says.

“But it’s hard to beat Canberra’s autumn colours and the milder weather brings people out in droves to inspections and auctions.”

Luton says potential sellers should consider seasonal garden presentation as part of their decision in taking a home to market.

“It can certainly maximise presentation before trees are stripped of their leaves during the winter months,” she says.

Stephen Bunday of LJ Hooker Dickson says he’s noted a strong autumn selling phenomenon.

“We’ve been seeing a spike of selling activity in May over a number of years,” he says.

“I can only speculate that some home owners make a decision to sell toward the tail end of summer and underestimate how long it actually takes to bring a property to market.”

Bunday agrees that autumn is a great time to sell because of the change of season and the arrival of nature’s colour show.

“It’s a beautiful time of year and I think that shows in the upbeat moods of sellers and buyers,” he says.

“And this autumn should deliver a few more smiles with interest rates right now as low as 2.69 per cent.”

• Colour. There’s arguably not a better show of autumn colour than in Canberra. Deciduous trees, like the abundant maple, deliver the perfect home selling stage in hues of yellows, oranges and reds.
• Weather. Autumn temperatures tend to be milder, but still offer warmth and clear skies. That adds up to a winning combination and continues to bring buyers to home inspections and auctions.
• Holidays. The autumn months are awash with public and school holidays. Easter and Anzac Day, as well as the school break, deliver more time for potential buyers to get out and inspect properties.

Allhomes’ top pick of autumn homes on the market:

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It’s something of a truism that if a front garden presents well, there’s more than a fair chance the home will demonstrate that same sense of care.

Number 59 Schlich Street, Yarralumla, backs up that promise – from its charming, wisteria-covered front deck to a past win in Floriade’s best front garden prize.

This character-filled two-storey home sits on nearly 630 square metres of sought-after land very close to Lake Burley Griffin.

The ground floor offers a separate kitchen, dining and living rooms with a fireplace and beautiful cedar windows and doors opening onto a wraparound deck. Three bedrooms, one with built-in wardrobes and the main bathroom are also on the lower floor.

Pitched among the treetops, the upper level has is a generous rumpus room and two additional bedrooms, both with built-in robes, and a bathroom.

The highly private rear garden offers two paved entertainment spaces and a built-in barbecue and single garage.

The home presents plenty of options. It’s an appealing opportunity to live in Yarralumla, opposite ovals within walking distance to schools, local shops and the lake.

Move in and begin enjoying the vibe or perhaps take it on as a project to renovate and extend? And there’s always the option to build a dream home in this sought-after locale.

Or, maybe, those same energies could simply be directed into winning another Floriade title?

Auction: 10am, March 14

Agent: Luton Properties, Sophie Luton 0410 750 413