A common denominator in plenty of conversations of late has been how winter tends to slow things down in real estate matters.
Though real estate isn’t strictly seasonal, it’s fair to say that heading into the warmer months in Australia and come December each year, there are more properties hitting the market.
Considering people tend to only list their homes for sale in Australia an average of every seven years, it makes sense that timing is critical.
If you’ve got a sparkling swimming pool in your backyard, you’re hardly going to fancy your chances when sideways rain is battering people jumping in and out of their cars at opens.
This isn’t to say that properties aren’t popping up for sale consistently, in all major cities, at any given time, because they are.
In fact, auction clearance rates for the weekend just gone were pretty interesting (Source: Rp Data, week ending Saturday 30th July 2016):
| City | Clearance rate | total auctions | RP data Auction Results | Sold prior to Auction | Sold at Auction | Sold after auction | Passed in | w/drawn |
| Adelaide | 71% | 39 | 31 | 2 | 19 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Brisbane | 59.6% | 110 | 47 | 9 | 18 | 1 | 19 | 0 |
| Canberra | 90.9% | 14 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Melbourne | 85.9% | 447 | 396 | 59 | 279 | 2 | 53 | 3 |
| Perth | 29.4% | 17 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Sydney | 74.0% | 294 | 235 | 43 | 130 | 1 | 46 | 15 |
| Tasmania | 50.0% | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
But we know that inevitably, business can slow a little for real estate agencies and the services that they use.
So, how to make the most of these months, when your days each week may not be as jam-packed as warmer seasons? Here are some options:
1> Hit the networking events. Even if you’re a little on the shy side (doubtful, if you’re a real estate agent!), certain events in winter months can be a seriously enjoyable. And opportunities to make fresh contacts. They are almost always inside, so rain, hail or shine, you can head along and forget about the torrential rain outside. Even if you just stand around complaining about the weather together, it could be a few hours well spent.
2> Accept that this is a “quieter” period in your business year and allocate time for a holiday. Having less listings or work to oversee could mean that this is an ideal time to slip away, even if you’re still governing things from afar. It could also invigorate you for your upcoming silly season.
3> Do the opposite to the above point and come up with an action plan for a cold-weather hustle! Having time up your sleeve could be the best opportunity to do a business health check. There are a myriad of resources out there for ensuring that your business’s support systems, services and tools are currently best for you. Why not set aside half a a whole day and check in with your banking, POS systems, social media accounts and suppliers? It could mean that come spring, you and your business are feeling squeaky clean and ready for a mad summer.
4> TAX. Organise a time with your accountant and get that tax done now, so it’s not a deadline looming over you when you are really scraping for free hours. You’ll thank yourself for the foresight.
5> Make the most of the INDOORS. I’m a bit partial to winter-time for this incentive myself. We have some stunning scenery here in South Australia. But, sometimes when the cold air is making your fingers ache, these outlooks are best enjoyed from indoors, with a hot beverage in hand.
There are so many sublime attractions that can be enjoyed no matter what the weather brings. Some of my favourites are (specific to Adelaide):
- The South Australian Art Gallery
- The South Australian Museum
- Take in some theatre at Adelaide Festival Centre
- The Adelaide Central Markets
- The MOVIES! – My favourite for value-for-money is the classic Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema
- Jam Factory for a spot of art appreciation and even a beverage
Or, of course, find a cellar door or restaurant, preferably one with a fireplace (My favourite is d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale) and duck indoors and enjoy the winter ambience.
The great thing is, most of these places can make for a wonderfully relaxing backdrop for a business meeting, if you want to mix work with play and remain on top of your (work) game.
Save for the movies, as you really will get shushed by other people, why not get creative for your next winter-time meeting? Opt for one of the above suggested indoor spots, or a fabulous idea of your own?
Or, you can do what my daughter’s kitty does and just seek out the winter sunbeams and ride winter out:
If you have any other suggestions on being the winter blues and remaining proactive, let us know on Instagram or Twitter.
Katharine
Who else is still struggling with the phrase “last year” when referring to 2015?
Whether you work from home, on the go or in an external office, it’s important not to feel weighed down by technology. But with more and more devices and gadgets available to us, we know we are guilty of having a little build-up of things we no longer use or require. And these can add time, even if it is only minutes, to your daily life. Whether it’s having to sort through a jungle of cables that you no longer need, just to find the one charger you do require, or having to switch hard-drives, phones or tablets to access just one photo or file that you require, a build up of gadgets is draining.
Another hot tip for the maximising time in the office (if you haven’t already done so) is considering adding a monitor to your desk, to plug your laptop into. Thereby, more than doubling your screen size and allowing you to expand your windows and horizons! 
Dedicate just one day a week to being the absolutely-must-ensure-on-top-of-mail-day. Simple, but effective. You hear me? Piles of unopened envelopes not only cause physical clutter, but emotional clutter too.
Ok, maybe it’s an excuse for a smidgen of retail therapy, but consider this. If your work space is a bit cluttered or lacklustre, there’s nothing like getting out of it and going and visiting glossy, clean, fresh home office displays. Whether they shame you into tidying yours out, or inspire you to go for a new look, it could be the best excursion you take all month!