At first sight, one would think real estate is just like fashion

At first sight, one would think that real estate is just like fashion and tends to change from season to season - and, while in some markets the time of year is particularly important, this varies in South Africa. So, the best bet if you are either buying or selling, is to chat with your agent to identify any specific season trends and then to also prioritise key factors like correct pricing, enhancing both the kerb appeal and staging of your home and looking at the sorts of homes in your area that are attracting the most buyers at any one time. 

Summer house hunting is popular for a number of reasons. For starters, it's a good time to sell as nature is on hand to help with kerb appeal, especially in colder climates. This not only means that house hunting is easier when you don't have to huddle up against the weather but that homes themselves look far nicer when surrounded by green rather than brown lawns and leafy rather than bare trees. 

Summer is also the time of year when people finish the year with a flourish, banking their Christmas bonuses which can boost their savings towards a deposit on their new homes. 

However, at Tyson Properties, we have also realised that, in many markets, summer is also the time when our potential buyers are often the most distracted. After all, its year end for school going children and the lead up to the busy festive season as the season when many upcountry families head for the coast for their annual holidays. 

That, of course, often plays into the hands of coastal real estate and represents a good time to put a property on the market that could serve as a great second home or family holiday getaway. For sellers, a holiday is always a good time to stop over at a local real estate office and see what's on offer. Away from the hustle and bustle, you have both the time to look and to think and discuss possibilities and probabilities. 

Another plus in favour of selling your home at the end of the year (or buying one then for that matter) is the fact that young families are likely to choose the time when there's less disruption, exams are over and parents are not doing school lifts which hampers their ability to view a variety of homes. Few parents relish the thought of moving house at the beginning of a year when they are trying to settle their kids for the new school year. 

Spring, on the other hand, has many of the benefits of summer and less of the hassles of winter and is often a great time to appeal to potential buyers who are planning ahead for a big move - or even to purchase a property so that all the paperwork is done and you are ready to move at year end when you have time for a big break.  

Autumn and winter in warmer climates can sometimes even be a better time to market your home. Potential buyers will not be worn out by driving around and viewing homes in the heat of the day and take more time to consider the options. But make your home welcoming - warm if the weather outside is chilly (you can even offer a warm cup of coffee) and add some flowers if the garden is a little on the drab side. 

Also, don't be afraid not to put your home on the market in a particular season. Remember, that your potential buyer will live in his or her new home in different seasons and that your job is to show it off to best effect no matter what. Make it cool and welcoming in summer and cosy in autumn and winter. 

Most importantly, no matter the weather and whether you are buying or selling, work closely with your Tyson Properties agent. We always have important demographics to hand and know which seasons are busy seasons in particular areas and which are slower as well as when houses tend to fetcher higher prices. 

Then, always remember that buying a property far more than fitting in with season and includes a host of different factors that all come together to make that perfect buy or sell - and your Tyson Properties real estate agent is the person to guide you as to how to best combine everything to best effect.