A shortage of homes for sale has been partly blamed on Orange property owners shying away from trying to sell in winter.
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Real estate agents said many sellers preferred to wait until the warmer weather when their gardens were looking better and when there was warmer, sunnier weather to tempt buyers.
But the agents said it was a myth that all houses sold faster or for more money in spring in Orange.
They said there was plenty of demand at the moment but little property for buyers to choose from - particularly in the $600,000-plus market.
There is a shortage right across the board at the moment.
- Libby Seaman, Ray White Orange
According to property website Domain there were only 39 properties for sale in Orange this week priced from $600-800,000 and only 14 from $800,000-$1 million.
Ray White Orange real estate principal Libby Seaman said there was a reluctance to sell in winter.
"There is a shortage right across the board at the moment," she said.
Ms Seaman said there were perceptions of getting a better price and quicker sale in spring because people wanted to have their gardens looking brighter for sale.
"A pretty garden does enhance a visual inspection but it just doesn't change the property," she said.
Ms Seaman said delaying until spring worked best for sellers with an elaborate garden but for most houses it would not make a difference.
She said there was plenty of demand in winter. "July is one of our best selling months."
McCormack Barber Orange director Peter McCormack said supply was lowest for more expensive homes.
"Generally you would say there was a shortage, numbers are down," he said.
"Over $600,000 there is a massive shortage, [particularly] centrally located properties."
He said people were waiting until spring but it was not necessarily a better move.
LJ Hooker Orange licensee/director Pat Cutcliffe agreed.
"There is a critical shortage. I've never seen supply so tight. It's right across the board," he said.
"Buyers are not spoiled for choice."
Mr Cutcliffe said the lack of supply was also due to a shortage of land available for residential development around Orange.
One house for sale in the $600,000-plus market is a property in Moonstone Drive, north Orange, which has five bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 2001 square metre block for $899,000.
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