As schools finish up for the year and Christmas draws closer across the country everyone starts counting down to the holidays. Of course summer holidays traditionally mean beach holidays but it is no longer true that holidays mean demand for property dwindles.
It is also no longer true that property interest over the holidays is focussed only on beachside and holiday listings. Last year over Christmas and January we experienced solid and consistent levels of enquiries and I expect the same again this year.
It is important to note here that a majority of those enquiries were from serious potential buyers, not just holiday tyre kickers, having a sticky beak but with no serious intent to buy. Although on that point you might be surprised how often an enquiry from someone who admits to being merely inquisitive will end up buying!
I think the slower pace of life that kicks in by late December and runs through January allows many people the time to look at property more seriously and consider options and goals for the future.
It isn’t so much about making a new years resolution. It is much more about the holidays giving people the break and the headspace to seriously look at what is available. While many offices are closed it is the perfect time to open the door to possibility and investigate a new property and perhaps even a new country life.
Which is why the new year property market is not all about beachside holiday homes. It is more generally about achieving a more relaxed but equally fulfilling lifestyle. It’s exactly what the Southern Highlands offers and it is why I anticipate demand to continue over the coming summer months.