The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and getting a great price…
and, the best part is, it doesn’t have to be hard, time consuming or expensive.
Timing
Buyers for good quality property can be found all year round. With the marketing process having become far more sophisticated than in previous times, the issue of timing is less critical today than in the past. However, there are some important points you may wish to consider.
It is often thought that the Spring and Summer months are the best time to sell because properties tend to present at their best, however it is also worth remembering that there may be a lot of other homes on the market because of this. Selling your home at other times of the year may see fewer homes on the market in direct competition with yours and just as good or better result achieved!
The average time required to sell property can vary depending on the type of property, however property that is accurately priced will typically sell within three to six weeks. Prior to placing your property on the market, allow an additional one to two weeks to prepare both the property and the marketing material.
If you are considering selling and aren’t quite sure when to make the move, speak to one of our experienced agents who can help devise a plan of action appropriate for you and your property.
Presentation
First impressions count, so it’s important to make sure your property looks its best from the moment it goes onto the market for sale.
And that doesn’t just mean a clean and tidy interior, it means ensuring the exterior is as presentable and attractive as you can make it, because many people will check a property out for the first time with a drive-by before deciding whether to inspect it on open days.
Below are some easy and cost effective tips for presenting your home, which will make it more appealing to buyers and can ultimately result in a higher price being achieved.
Outside:
- Mow the lawn, trim any overgrown shrubs, remove weeds and mulch the garden to give a fresh look
- Sweep (or pressure-clean) paths and driveways
- Remove any bikes and toys or unnecessary items laying around the yard
- Park extra cars away from the property
- Clean windows and window coverings inside and out
- Make sure the roof and gutters are clean
- Keep your garage, shed or carport clean and tidy
Inside:
- Thoroughly clean every room of the home
- The kitchen and bathroom should shine!
- Consider having carpets professionally cleaned and deodorised
- Touch-up any chips and marks on walls or where appropriate re-paint
- Repair any minor faults such as loose doorknobs, marks or scuffs on floors etc
- Enhance the spaciousness of each room by removing unnecessary furniture and clutter, this will also help buyers imagine their own belongings inside the home
Before each inspection:
- Give a quick once-over with the vacuum; carpets should be clean
- Put dishes and tea towels away
- Make the beds and put all clothes and toys away
- Keep pets out of the way and pet areas clean and odour free
- Warm or cool the home to a comfortable temperature
- Place a bowl of fresh fruit or fresh flowers in a prominent position for colour and fragrance
- Open blinds and curtains to allow daylight to shine through the windows, and turn on the lights!
- Have a pot of fresh coffee brewing (brewed coffee creates a pleasant aroma throughout the whole house)
- Play some nice background music
- If you would like any help or assistance with the preparation of your home, we can put you in touch with a range of experienced trades people, handymen and cleaners.
Sale Preparation Checklist
- Clean and detail the property thoroughly – both inside and out. A few hundred dollars spent sprucing up the property will increase the saleability and more than likely increase the sale price.
- Consider obtaining a building and pest inspection report. This allows you to have necessary repair work done prior to sale. A 100% clear report can be used as a selling feature for buyers.
- The Contract for Sale should be prepared by your Solicitor or Conveyancer with all the essential terms and conditions. In NSW the law requires that a contract be available for inspection prior to the property being offered for sale.
- A Certificate of Compliance should be obtained from the Local Council if you have recently undertaken major building works.
- If there is a current Lease, check the expiry date and termination requirements and advise your Solicitor or Conveyancer so documents can be included in the Contract for Sale.
- Make a note of all the inclusions i.e. everything that will be included in the purchase price and remaining at the property after completion. Standard items include light fittings, floor coverings, curtains and blinds. These can also be excluded if you prefer but it should be noted in the Contract for Sale.
Methods of Sale
Public Auction or Private Treaty?
Before putting your home on the market you will need to consider which method of sale is most appropriate for your property and which is likely to achieve the best results.
Auction
Sale by Public Auction makes use of competition and can deliver a price above what might otherwise be achieved. Following a well planned marketing campaign, auctions can create a sense of urgency amongst buyers, build competition and ultimately raise the price. Advantages of an Auction are that you’re in control of the sales terms, you have the security of your confidential reserve price and the sale is legally binding once the hammer falls. You also have the option of selling your property prior to Auction should an appropriate offer be received.
Private Treaty
Private Treaty sales can be highly effective when used in the right situation and handled correctly. This method involves quoting a price at the commencement of marketing, normally with a certain allowance for negotiation. Establishing the correct price is essential as a price set too high will lead to a lack of interest and a protracted sale, while a price set too low will not maximise your return.
Unlike an Auction, a cooling off period can apply to Private Treaty sales. Private Treaty sales are often used in situations where it is easy to ascertain the market value of the property and there is limited opportunity to achieve a greater price at Auction, for example, an apartment in a block where there are other similar properties for sale.
Marketing Campaign
With so many properties vying for the attention of potential buyers, marketing can make the difference. It’s important to have a well-planned campaign that gives you maximum impact for your advertising dollar.
To capture attention, a multi-faceted marketing campaign should be employed including media, internet and point of sale advertising. To ensure this attention translates into enquiries, it’s important all advertising is produced professionally.
Media advertising provides the high level of exposure required to attract potential buyers. Burraneer Bay Real Estate produces professionally designed advertisements and can secure prime media placements to deliver the ultimate in exposure.
The internet has now become a primary method used to search for property. Our popular web site, www.burraneer.com.au has been well designed to allow users easy access to all property information including photos and floor plans. For added exposure we also list all properties on major real estate portals including www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au