It is traditionally the case that auction volumes reduce over winter in Melbourne and that is expected to be the case again this year.
Many people prefer to sell in spring–summer: the weather is better, houses and gardens can be more inviting – and auctions are very much a part of Melbourne at that time of the year.
It is interesting to note that while there are fewer auctions, the clearance rate has not often differed substantially between winter and the spring selling season.
In 2010 the clearance rate in winter was 68 per cent compared to 63 per cent in spring-summer. There were 647 auctions per weekend in winter and then 778 auctions per weekend in spring–summer. The winter months last year saw an unseasonably high volume of auctions.
In 2009 the clearance rate in winter was 85 per cent compared to 82 per cent in spring-summer. From a volume perspective, there were 419 auctions per weekend in winter and 679 auctions per weekend in spring–summer.
In 2008 the clearance rate in winter was 63 per cent compared to 59 per cent in spring-summer, with an average of 456 auctions per weekend in winter and 663 auctions per weekend in spring–summer.
Finally, in 2007 the clearance rate in winter was 85 per cent compared to 81 per cent in spring-summer, with an average of 554 auctions per weekend in winter and 790 auctions per weekend in spring–summer.
With this recent history in mind, it is important to remember that your selling real estate agent will be best placed to advise you on the optimum time to sell your home. They will be able to take into account local demand and supply conditions to suit your needs and devise a marketing campaign to maximise the outcome for you.