The data below is showing seasonality; based on over 15 years of data from the Real Estate Institute.
As you can see, March is the most active month of the year, with January being the least active.

The majority of new property listings tend to flood onto the market in February & March and again in October & November. In fact, 40% of all new listings in a year, come onto the market in these 4 months. The winter season (between the months of June, July and August), has the lowest level at 20% of the annual total of all new listings hitting the market.

It is a common tendency among sellers to list either in the spring or summer, as it is warmer and the gardens and property overall is looking in it's best shape, you have more competition as everyone has the same idea!

However, some sellers decide to list in the winter season as they feel it could give their property greater exposure at a time when fewer listings are out in the market to compete with.

At the end of the day, buyers will buy a home that they feel suits their needs - rain, hail or shine so whatever the season, if your home is well presented, well promoted and well priced you are sure to achieve a sale.

1.  Marketing
Have an effective marketing strategy to ensure you are attracting the right type of Tenant for your property. Use quality photography and good script, entice the tenant just as one would when selling a home. Make sure you put the features of the home ect

2. Asking Rent
Price your rental property appropriately, as overpriced properties may attract a high turnover of tenants and of course that leads to more wear and tear on the home. Instead do a comparison of prices in the area and have it competitive with the others on the market. A slightly reduced or at market level rent will generally keep a good quality long term tenant.

3.  Open Homes    
Make it easy for prospective Tenants to find out when the next open home will be. Two open homes twice weekly is ideal, have one after working hours and one on either Saturday or Sunday.
 
4.  Applications
Always ensure that the prospective Tenant has fully completed and signed the application form, including a signed privacy consent to carry out the checks. When I was in property management, the most valuable person on the check was the previous landlord as the current may say anything to get a bad tenant out of their house!
 
5.  Tenancy Start Date 
Most Tenants will need to give their current landlord 21 days notice, but for the right Tenant this time is worth the wait. I would however ask the tenant if this notice period is flexible with their current landlord as in the case of a property selling, the owner would generally want an earlier vacancy to get the home ready for sale or if the home has sold, the new owner may want to move in asap.

For more great posts on renting and investing, click here

This is a great article by tradebox, this website also is a great place to find estimates for plumbing; building; electrical work before you start.

1. Confirm that the sales person or tradespeople works for the company they are representing and make sure you ask for identification such as drivers licence before allowing the person access.

2. Check multiple references, tradepro is a great place for this or builderscrack.

3. Ask for a copy of trade registration or licenses (if applicable)

4. Request proof of insurance General Liability insurance such as Public Liability insurance typically covers a Tradesperson for accidents that occur to third party property caused by the Tradeperson’s work. 

5. Conclude and finalise the contract before starting on a project including the following:

• Written on Trade Pro’s company letterhead
• Contains the Trade Pro’s company name, address, phone numbers, and license number (if applicable)
• Contains the customer/homeowner's name, address (where work is to be performed), and relevant phone numbers
• Contains the date when the contract is written and the date when both parties sign the contract
• Includes a detailed description of the scope of work to be performed
• Provides prices or amounts associated with each main task included in the project
• Includes an anticipated/estimated start and completion date
• Provides a payment schedule
• Includes a termination clause
• Contains a clause that protects the customer or homeowner from any potential warranty or guarantees once you have paid the Trade Professional in full
• Clearly states whether consents, permits or code of compliance certificates are required, and who will be responsible for organising them including how they will be paid for and by whom.

6. Making payments to tradespeople If you're paying by cheque, make sure that it is made out to the company. Do not make payments to any individual, but rather to the company.

7. Ask for a receipt Always ask for a receipt whenever a payment is made. This way, you have proof of payment if something goes wrong and you need to make a claim.

8. Withhold the final payment until you are satisfied with the Project. Do not pay in full until the project is completely finished and you have completed your final inspection and satisfied with the work and if applicable, licenses and council code of compliance certificates are issued. If there are some minor details to complete, ensure that sufficient monies are withheld until the issue is fixed.

9. Do not advance money for materials Do not advance money to tradespeople to purchase building materials unless this has been agreed in your contract and you are sufficiently protected if something goes wrong. Alternatively, you could pay the materials supplier directly yourself.

10. Document all changes to the contract Make sure all changes to the original contact, no matter how small, are documented, signed off and initialed by both parties.