Tips to Consider Before Selling

Here are six great tips to consider before you place your property on the market.

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGENT

Don’t just go with someone you know, or the agent who sold the neighbour’s house. Meet at least three agents, talk with them, attend some of their open homes and assess the way they do business. You want an agent who will work hard at following-up buyers, has a good manner with people, and is a great negotiator.

2. BE SENSIBLE ON PRICE

It goes without saying you need to meet the market. Find out where the market is by looking at recent sales (your agent will be able to help you with this).

3. Get the marketing right

Over the last 12 months 79% of our buyers first see the property online. This is a 6% increase on the previous 12 months.

With this is mind, think of the four P’s when it comes to marketing your property - Presentation, Photos, Prose and Place.

Presentation: Fix up all those little things that could catch buyers' eyes and stop them from falling in love with your property.

Photos: Professional photos of your property are essential, as most buyers first see your property online. There is a world of difference between amateur snaps and professional photography.

Prose: These are the words describing your property to buyers. You want to highlight the key attributes (number of bedrooms, bathrooms etc) and the best points of your property that often cannot be appreciated through photos alone.

Place: Your property needs to be seen in the “place” where the buyers are looking. Property websites and newspaper advertising are the first places buyers look. Direct marketing by the agency to their database of relevant buyers is also effective.

4. HAVE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTATION IN PLACE

The last thing you want is for a sale to fall through because you don’t have all the paperwork in place.

5. BE READY FOR VIEWINGS

Your agent might get requests for viewing in the evening or outside of Open House inspection times. Within reason, you should be flexible and have your home ready to show at short notice. That person who turns up at 7pm might just be the one who falls in love with your home!

6. BE FLEXIBLE WITH SETTLEMENT TIMES

This is not always possible, however if you don’t have to move in a hurry, or can get out a bit faster, it’s worth being flexible on settlement times.